Collaborative Research: Infra-red Control of Electron-Transfer Mechanisms

在化学系化学结构、动力学和机制项目的支持下，杜克大学的David N. Beratan教授和杜兰大学的Igor V. Rubtsov教授将开发控制电子转移反应的方法。他们将通过开发控制分子内部和分子之间电子通信强度的方法来实现这一目标；这些电子相互作用影响电子转移的速率。Beratan小组将采用量子和统计力学理论来设计、分析和解释具有桥定域振动模式的结构中的非弹性电子转移动力学。目标是在包含电子供体、桥和电子受体的各种分子中发展分子内非弹性电子隧穿的解释性和预测性描述。杜兰大学的Rubtsov小组将开发超快激光和多维红外光谱方法，以研究双缝电子传输实验和分子电子转移问题之间的相似性。这项工作将对发展直觉产生广泛的影响，可能导致光通信和太阳能收集的应用。Beratan教授和Rubtsov教授通过向经济上处于不利地位和历史上代表性不足的群体提供暑期研究机会来促进科学教育。为一年级学生开设的新课程群正在开发中，旨在研究科学的基本哲学基础。

In this collaborative project, supported by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor David N. Beratan of Duke University and Professor Igor V. Rubtsov of Tulane University will develop methods to control electron transfer reactions. They will accomplish this goal by developing approaches to manipulate the strength of electronic communication within and between molecules; these electronic interactions influence the rates of electron transfer. The Beratan group will employ quantum and statistical mechanical theories to design, analyze and interpret inelastic electron-transfer kinetics in structures with bridge-localized vibrational modes. The goal is to develop interpretive and predictive descriptions of intramolecular inelastic electron tunneling in a variety of molecules containing an electron donor, a bridge, and an electron acceptor. The Rubtsov group at Tulane will develop ultrafast laser and multi-dimensional infrared spectroscopic methods to examine analogies between the double slit electron transmission experiment and the molecular electron-transfer problem.This work will have a broad impact in developing intuition that may lead to applications in optical communication and solar energy harvesting. Professors Beratan and Rubtsov are promoting science education by providing summer research opportunities to economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups. A new course cluster for first-year students is under development to examine the fundamental philosophical foundations of science.