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The photophysical processes of singlet fission and triplet fusion have numerous emerging applications. They involve the separation of a photo-generated singlet exciton into two dark triplet excitons and the fusion of two dark triplet excitons into an emissive singlet exciton, respectively. The role of the excimer state and the nature of the triplet-pair state in these processes have been a matter of contention. Here we analyse the room temperature time-resolved emission of a neat liquid singlet fission chromophore and show that it exhibits three spectral components: two that correspond to the bright singlet and excimer states and a third component that becomes more prominent during triplet fusion. This spectrum is enhanced by magnetic fields, confirming its origins in the recombination of weakly coupled triplet pairs. It is thus attributed to a strongly coupled triplet pair state. These observations unite the view that there is an emissive intermediate in singlet fission and triplet fusion, distinct from the broad, unstructured excimer emission., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Singlet fission is a process whereby two triplet excitons can be produced from one photon, potentially increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Endothermic singlet fission is desired for a maximum energy-conversion efficiency, and such systems have been considered to form an excimer-like state with multiexcitonic character prior to the appearance of triplets. However, the role of the excimer as an intermediate has, until now, been unclear. Here we show, using 5,12-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)tetracene in solution as a prototypical example, that, rather than acting as an intermediate, the excimer serves to trap excited states to the detriment of singlet-fission yield. We clearly demonstrate that singlet fission and its conjugate process, triplet-triplet annihilation, occur at a longer intermolecular distance than an excimer intermediate would impute. These results establish that an endothermic singlet-fission material must be designed to avoid excimer formation, thus allowing singlet fission to reach its full potential in enhancing photovoltaic energy conversion.