Dynamics of Photodissociation of Polyatomic Molecules

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In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Kinsey will study the dynamics of molecular photodissociation both experimentally and theoretically. In the experimental studies Dissociative Resonance Raman Spectroscopy (DRRS) will be used to probe transient processes involved in the photochemical decomposition of small molecules by detecting the weak emissions from vibrationally excited states. Light from many vibrational levels will be accumulated using a newly constructed instrument in order to obtain a complete description of the dissociation. Mathematical functions called wavelets will be employed to model photodissociation processes efficiently. Theoretical studies will aid in interpreting the experimental Raman data, which will be inverted mathematically to determine the potential energy surface directly. Photochemical decompositions are among the most fundamental and important of chemical processes. For example, a detailed elucidation of how sunlight leads to ozone decomposition is essential if we hope to alter the environmental consequences of ozone layer depletion. The early stages of such photochemical reactions are very difficult to study in the laboratory since they are over in less time than light takes to travel 0.001 inches. Prof. Kinsey's studies of photochemical decomposition will provide powerful new tools for gaining insight into reactions which occur on such a fast timescale.