Pendular States of Molecules

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In this Experimental Physical Chemistry project sponsored by the Chemistry Division, Prof. Herschbach (Harvard University) will construct a new apparatus for electric field alignment of small molecules in a molecular beam. For the first time, it will be possible to read the degree of alignment simply from the spectrum without recourse to complicated photodissociation techniques. The use of oriented molecular targets in molecular beam studies of chemical reations will lead to much more accurate and detailed pictures of gas phase reaction mechanisms. %%% Normally, when molecules serve as targets for chemical reactions, the mutual orientation of the colliding partners is completely random. Prof. Herschbach (Harvard University) is developing a general method for orienting the molecules prior to reaction, and will apply it to elucidating reaction mechanisms at an unprecedented level of detail.