Characterization of one- and two-photon photochemical uncaging efficiency.

The idea of using light to unleash biologically active compounds from inert precursors (uncaging) was introduced over 30 years ago. Recent efforts prompted the development of photoremovable protecting groups that have increased photochemical efficiencies for one- and two-photon excitation to allow more sophisticated applications. This requires characterization of one- and two-photon photochemical efficiencies of the uncaging processes.The present chapter focuses on the characterization of one-photon quantum yields and two-photon cross-sections.