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Picosecond studies of the vibrational predissociation of van der Waals complexes

Citation

Semmes, David Haynes (1990) Picosecond studies of the vibrational predissociation of van der Waals complexes. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/NTP7-RS50. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04032008-144110

Abstract

The vibrational predissociation of several van der Waals complexes of aromatic molecules with rare gas atoms, isolated in a free-jet molecular beam expansion, has been studied using time-resolved spectroscopy. Direct measurements have been made, on a picosecond time scale, of the fluorescence intensity from the initially excited single vibrational level and from the various final vibrational states formed in the dissociation of the complexes. The time-resolved data is analyzed with the aid of different kinetic models and can distinguish between parallel decay paths, sequential paths with intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) preceding vibrational predissociation, and sequential paths with reversible IVR preceding vibrational predissociation. The contribution of the van der Waals modes to the total vibrational state density induces dissipative IVR in the complexes at much lower energies than in the bare aromatic molecule. The measured predissociation rates are compared with rates calculated according to the statistical RRKM theory of unimolecular reactions. Some of the experimental results show mode-selective behavior, while other results suggest statistical behavior.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:van der Waals complexes ; chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Zewail, Ahmed H.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:27 September 1989
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-04032008-144110
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04032008-144110
DOI:10.7907/NTP7-RS50
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1261
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:08 Apr 2008
Last Modified:21 Dec 2019 04:01

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