Relaxation Spectroscopy and Transport in Condensed Phases

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Professor James Skinner is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Program to continue his work in studies of relaxation, spectroscopy, and transport in condensed phases. Skinner employs a model system consisting of two quantum levels coupled to a quantum mechanical bath which is used for studies of relaxation processes, and has applications to many different branches of spectroscopy. In the usual approach it is assumed that the coupling between the quantum levels and the bath is weak, and that the initial density matrix factors into a product of density matrices for the quantum levels and one for the bath. Skinner's approach differs in that his studies of the relaxation properties of the reduced density matrix do not involve either of these two assumptions. Skinner will develop a microscopic theory of inhomogeneous lineshapes in crystals which he will apply to results of several experiments. He also will develop a statistical mechanical dynamical theory of electronic spectroscopy in liquids and dense gases such as supercritical fluids. %%% The last decade has shown that disorder is responsible for many important properties of materials. In addition, the transport of electrons in condensed matter, which has important implications for biology and solar energy collection, is greatly affected by disorder. Skinner's research provides important insights at the molecular level which will lead to a clearer understanding of the way in which disorder influences the important material properties of condensed phase chemical systems.