Collaborative Research: Infra-red Control of Electron Transfer Mechanisms

在这个由化学系化学结构、动力学和机理项目支持的合作项目中，大卫N。杜克大学的Beratan和杜兰大学的Igor Rubtsov教授将开发控制电子转移反应的方法，并开发控制影响电子转移速率的分子之间电子通信强度的方法。Beratan小组将采用量子和统计力学理论来设计、分析和解释具有桥局域振动模式的分子中的非弹性电子转移动力学。我们的目标是开发解释性和预测性的描述分子内的非弹性电子隧穿在各种分子含有电子供体，刚性桥，和电子受体。 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。 这项工作将在发展直觉方面产生广泛的影响，可能导致在光通信和太阳能收集方面的应用。Beratan教授和Rubtsov教授正在通过为经济弱势群体和历史上代表性不足的群体提供夏季研究机会来促进科学教育。正在为一年级学生开发一个新的课程群，以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 Rubtsov of Tulane University willdevelop methods to control electron transfer reactions, and to develop approaches to manipulate the strength of the electronic communication between molecules that influences the rate of electron transfer. The Beratan group will employ quantum and statistical mechanical theories to design, analyze and interpret inelastic electron-transfer kinetics in molecules 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 rigid 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 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.