Intermolecular Potentials and Reaction Dynamics

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In this project in the Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Marsha Lester of the University of Pennsylvania will use various spectroscopic techniques to characterize the intermolecular potentials of van der Waals molecules. Stimulated emission pumping and other laser-based techniques will be used to probe highly excited energy levels of these complexes in order to obtain a fuller experimental description of the potential energy surface describing interacting species. The spectroscopy of complexes containing an open-shell molecule will also be studied for information about collisional processes involving free radicals. %%% 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 the processes involved in chemically reactive molecular encounters, protein folding, or catalytic activity on surfaces. This project aims at more fully characterizing the forces which govern these sorts of chemical and physical processes.