Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Molecular Motions in Liquids

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Professor Kivelson is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Compuational Chemistry Program to study motions of molecules in liquids, especially supercooled liquids whose motions exhibit many anomalous properties. Experimental dynamic light scattering measurements will be carried out together with relevant computer molecular dynamics simulations, and the results will be used, together with extant data, to develop theoretical models relating the molecular motions to the structure of the liquids. Kivelson will devote a major portion of his research effort to searching for a correlation length which diverges with decreasing temperature for supercooled liquids in an effort to confirm the existence of a second order (or higher) phase transition. In another aspect of his research, Kivelson will study the high-frequency molecular motions in liquids which are characterized by cage rattling and barrier crossing. %%% Since most chemical reactions take place in solution, it is of fundamental importance in the field of chemistry to have a molecular level understanding of molecular motion and the interaction between solute and solvent. Kivelson's research involves the use of light scattering experiments and computer simulation to further our understanding of this detailed molecular picture.