Short-time Optical Processes of Coherent Molecular States in Condensed Phases

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Professor Jeffrey A. Cina at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Chicago is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Program at NSF for theoretical research which interprets and predicts phenomena associated with time-resolved optical excitations. Work is being carried out on several different topics, all involving matter in the condensed phase. A major theme of this work is the study of coherently organized states of matter. One kind of coherence involves spatially localized states where, for example, left handed and right handed geometries, or conformations, are distinguished; other kinds of coherences involve the vibrational motions of the nuclei. Another major theme of the work is the study of solvent effects on the excitations of molecules in solution. Ultra-short pulses of laser light provide a powerful means to place matter into unusual states, far from thermal equilibrium. These states may have unusual chemical or material properties quite different from those of condensed matter in its more normal states. The work under this grant involves theoretical studies which explore the properties of these unusual states as well as how they may be prepared and how they may be detected. The work is being carried out in close and direct contact with people who are making related experimental studies. In this way, the understanding coming from the theoretical work is being applied, in the near term, to the analysis and interpretation of experimental data.