Dynamics of Photodissociation of Polyatomic Molecules

在化学学部实验物理化学项目的这个项目中，金赛将从实验和理论两方面研究分子光解动力学。在实验研究中，解离共振拉曼光谱（DRRS）将通过检测振动激发态的弱发射来探测涉及小分子光化学分解的瞬态过程。为了获得解离的完整描述，将使用新构造的仪器来积累来自许多振动水平的光。称为小波的数学函数将被用来有效地模拟光解过程。理论研究将有助于解释实验拉曼数据，这些数据将被数学反演以直接确定势能面。光化学分解是最基本和最重要的化学过程之一。例如，如果我们希望改变臭氧层消耗的环境后果，详细阐明阳光如何导致臭氧分解是必不可少的。这种光化学反应的早期阶段很难在实验室中进行研究，因为它们的结束时间比光传播0.001英寸的时间要短。金赛教授对光化学分解的研究将为深入了解在如此快的时间尺度上发生的反应提供强大的新工具。

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.