Rotational Spectroscopy of Small Clusters

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In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Gutowsky of the University of Illinois at Urbana will use high-resolution rotational spectroscopy to gain structural information of small cluster molecules created in supersonic jet expansions. The clusters are formed by van der Waals, electrostatic, or hydrogen bonding forces. Cluster isomers, high-temperature species, and excited-state and high-energy conformational forms are among the species to be studied. This work should help elucidate the mechanism by which inter- and intramolecular forces govern the dynamics of condensed-phase forms. %%% Cluster molecules are the intermediate species formed when gaseous molecules condense to form liquids or solids. The study of the structure and properties of clusters is useful in understanding such diverse phenomena as molecular orientation and mobility on catalytic surfaces as well as protein folding. The work supported here examines clusters formed by a number of different forces, from very weak physical attraction to almost chemically strong bonds.