CAREER: Experimental Investigation of the Dependence of Intermolecular Dynamics on Molecular Orientation

在这个由化学学部实验物理化学项目资助的项目中，华盛顿大学的Richard A. Loomis教授将研究分子间相互作用和化学反应动力学对反应物相对取向的依赖。超音速膨胀方法、频率和时间分辨光谱以及飞行时间离子成像光谱的结合将用于表征指导双分子接触结果的分子间势能表面。初期的工作将集中在He + ICl(B)和Ne + ICl(B)对的非弹性、非反应性离解动力学上，为化学反应工作奠定基础。初步研究的双分子反应包括电子激发ICl(B)与F2和H2的反应。这项研究将与研究生和感兴趣的本科生一起进行。卢米斯的教育活动将侧重于让本科生在职业生涯的早期接触到困难和高级的主题，以使更多的学生对化学和化学科学感兴趣。量子力学波包项目将被纳入本科量子化学课程。此外，卢米斯教授还将参与一些外展计划，旨在1)让当地小学、初中和高中的学生接触化学现象和学习，2)通过访问中西部的小型本科学院和大学，让学生有机会学习新的研究课题和技术，以及3)向对科学感兴趣和关注广泛领域的国际科学作家授课。

In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Richard A. Loomis of Washington University will investigate the dependence of intermolecular interactions and chemical reaction dynamics on the relative orientations of the reactants. A combination of supersonic expansion methods, frequency- and time-resolved spectroscopy, and time-of-flight ion imaging spectrometry will be used to characterize the intermolecular potential energy surfaces that direct the outcome of bimolecular encounters. Initial work will focus on the inelastic, non-reactive dissociation dynamics of the He + ICl(B) and Ne + ICl(B) pairs to establish a foundation for the chemical reaction work. The initial list of bimolecular reactions to be studied includes electronically excited ICl(B) with F2 and H2. This research will be conducted with graduate students and interested undergraduates.Prof. Loomis' educational activities will focus on giving undergraduate students hands-on exposure to difficult and advanced topics early in their careers in an effort to interest more students in chemistry and chemical science. Quantum mechanical wave packet projects will be incorporated into the undergraduate Quantum Chemistry course. In addition, Prof. Loomis will participate in outreach programs aimed at 1) exposing students in local elementary, middle, and high schools to chemical phenomena and learning, 2) through visits to small undergraduate colleges and universities in the Midwest give students an opportunity to learn about novel research topics and techniques, and 3) lecturing to international science writers whose interest span broad areas and concerns in science.