Structure and dynamics of molecular and cluster anions via photoelectron imaging spectroscopy

在这个项目中，在化学系化学结构、动力学和机理计划的支持下，萨诺夫教授和他的学生将对气相中负离子的结构和动力学进行研究。这项研究的广泛目标是获得分子水平的化学观点。由于化学键是由电子控制的，所以最终控制化学反应结果的是它们的行为。我们将使用针对电子发射和阴离子碎裂过程的实验技术来研究分子和团簇阴离子中的成键基序。特别是，一种量子摄影技术-光电子成像-将被用来研究贯穿空间和贯穿键的电子相干性的极限，这是许多电荷转移现象的基石。此外，还将研究选定的中性自由基和活性中间体的反应性，以及微观溶剂化环境(团簇)中负离子和光电子与邻近分子的相互作用。这项研究所获得的知识有望与物理科学的几个领域相关。负离子的性质对于理解溶液化学、生物化学、环境化学和天文化学至关重要。例如，表征几个富碳物种将有助于揭示宇宙中负离子的形成机制，而在分子水平上研究电子相干性将有助于理解控制分子和器件中电荷流动的基本因素。作为更广泛的科学界的一部分，萨诺夫小组将继续推进光电子成像在提供成键结构的概念性观点方面的效用，成键结构最终将物质结合在一起。这项研究还将有助于开发光电子成像作为一种有效教学工具的潜力，为向学生介绍量子概念提供一个教学框架。

In this project, supported by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Sanov and his students will undertake a study of the structure and dynamics of negative ions in the gas phase. The broad objective of this research is to attain a molecular-level view of chemistry. As chemical bonding is controlled by electrons, it is their behavior that ultimately controls the outcomes of chemical reactions. The bonding motifs in molecular and cluster anions will be investigated using experimental techniques targeting electron emission and anionic fragmentation processes. In particular, a quantum photographic technique - photoelectron imaging - will be used to investigate the limits of through-space and through-bond electronic coherence, which is a cornerstone of many charge-transfer phenomena. The reactivity of selected neutral radicals and reactive intermediates, as well as the interactions of negative ions and photoelectrons with neighboring molecules in microscopic solvation environments (clusters) will also be studied.The knowledge attained in this research is expected to be relevant to several areas of physical sciences. The properties of negative ions are vital to understanding chemistry of solutions, bio-, environmental, and astro-chemistry. For example, characterizing several carbon-rich species will shed light on the mechanisms of formation of negative ions in the Universe, while the studies of electronic coherence at the molecular level will help understand the fundamental factors controlling the flow of charges in molecules and devices. As part of the broader scientific community, the Sanov group will continue advancing the utility of photoelectron imaging in providing conceptual views of bonding structures, which ultimately hold matter together. The research will also contribute to the development of photoelectron imaging's untapped potential as an effective teaching tool, by providing a pedagogical framework for introducing students to quantum concepts.