We emphasize that there is a one-to-one correlation between the strength of the CT absorption and the relative magnitude of 𝜏 !" between the DQI and CQI compounds with phenyl and naphthalene linkers. The experimental absorption spectra for short bridge lengths in the CT region agree strongly with the theory. In the CQI compounds (𝛽 = 14Ph, 26N), we observe a single additional peak (absent in the monomer spectra) that is centered at 3 eV for T𝜷T (Figure and SI) and 2.64 eV for P𝜷P (SI). In the corresponding DQI compounds (𝛽 = 13Ph, 27N), this peak is largely absent. These differences reveal a quantum effect that is intimately related to the mechanism of SF. As has been previously recognized, the rate of transition from the singlet exciton to (𝑇𝑇) ( can be enhanced by a virtual CT state. The stronger the dipole coupling between the ground state and the CT state, the more easily it will be accessible as a virtual intermediate in a one-photon optical process. Furthermore, since the (𝑇𝑇) ( in our dimers consists of triplets occupying only the terminal chromophores, fast 𝜏 !" requires the virtual CT state to have significant contribution from configurations with direct CT between the terminal chromophores. The CT states in the CQI T-26N-T and P-26N-P satisfy both these criteria (Table ) (𝜏 !" = 30 ps/56 ps).