Laser Studies of Energy Flow in Polyatomic Molecules

在化学学部物理化学项目中，哥伦比亚大学的George Flynn将使用高分辨率红外二极管激光吸收技术研究四个动力学过程。这些实验包括从高振动激发分子的单个量子态到受体碰撞伙伴的能量流的研究；具有不成对自旋的电子激发分子的猝灭，重点是受体分子留下的量子态；热原子试剂反应动力学；以及产生振动激发碰撞伙伴的非反应性热原子碰撞过程。涉及分子系统的电子、振动和转动能的化学反应和弛豫现象的实验研究，对于研究相对复杂物质的能量传递机制和化学反应性的科学家来说是重要的。许多生物化学家、化学家和物理学家都对能量交换的详细了解感兴趣，以便了解化学反应是如何发生的，以及是什么导致系统发生碰撞而不是转移任何多余的内能。这些实验应该有助于阐明控制反应性和非反应性碰撞过程的基本力。

In this project in the Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, George Flynn of Columbia University will use high resolution infrared diode laser absorption techniques to study four dynamical processes. Included in these experiments are the study of energy flow from individual quantum states of highly vibrationally excited molecules to acceptor collision partners; the quenching of electronically excited molecules with unpaired spins, with emphasis on the quantum states in which the acceptor molecules are left; reaction dynamics involving hot atom reagents; and non-reactive hot-atom collision processes which produce vibrationally excited collision partners. %%% Experimental studies of chemical reactions and relaxation phenomena involving electronic, vibrational, and rotational energies of molecular systems are important to scientists examining the energy transfer mechanisms and chemical reactivity of relatively complex species. Many biochemists, chemists, and physicists are interested in a detailed understanding of energy exchange in order to understand how chemical reactions occur as well as what causes a system undergoing collision to react rather than transfer any excess internal energy. These experiments should help elucidate the fundamental forces which control reactive and nonreactive collision processes.