New Mechanisms of Energy Transfer in Highly Vibrationally Excited Molecules

在化学部实验物理化学计划的这个项目中，Alec Wodtke将研究双分子过渡态在高度振动激发分子中振动能量转移中的作用。将在各种不同系统中吸热化学反应的化学过渡态以上和以下的宽范围的能量上研究分子间能量转移的振动依赖性。在这些实验中，将使用受激发射泵浦（SEP）产生激发物质。研究的主要系统是双原子分子NO，但也将对HCN - HNC异构化进行实验，从而获得关于大于双原子分子的一些第一批实验信息。在这个项目中，Wodtke将使用激光技术将大量的能量投入到几个分子的化学键的振动运动中，这些分子的反应对于理解大气化学很重要。这种受激分子能发生未受激分子不能发生的化学反应。这一努力与理解全球变暖、臭氧空洞的形成以及一氧化氮（一种已知的臭氧破坏催化剂）的产生和遥感有关。

In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Alec Wodtke will investigate the role of bimolecular transition states in vibrational energy transfer in highly vibrationally excited molecules. The vibrational dependence of intermolecular energy transfer will be studied over a wide range of energy above and below the chemical transition states for endothermic chemical reactions in a variety of different systems. In these experiments the excited species will be created using Stimulated Emission Pumping (SEP). The main system for study is the diatomic molecule NO, but experiments will also be performed on the HCN - HNC isomerization, leading to some of the first experimental information on a molecule larger than a diatomic. %%% In this project Wodtke will use laser techniques to put large amounts of energy into vibrational motions of the chemical bonds of several molecules whose reactions are important for understanding atmospheric chemistry. Such excited molecules can undergo chemical reactions which unexcited species will not. This effort is relevant to understanding global warming, ozone hole formation, and the creation and remote sensing of nitric oxide, a known catalyzer of ozone destruction.