In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division, Prof. Bryan Kohler of the University of California at Riverside will study the electronic structure of linearly conjugated molecules, the dependence of this electronic structure on molecular conformation, and the response of this structure to electrostatic perturbation. To do this, powerful spectroscopic techniques will be used to obtain the absorption spectra of polyenes in supersonic beams and in low temperature mixed crystals. Photochemical hole burning will allow the response of linear polyenes to external electric fields to be determined. %%% Linear polyenes are organic molecules which are vital to processes ranging from vision to the fabrication of organic electrical conductors and the use of passive optical processes to add or subtract light frequencies in nonlinear crystals. The current studies will aid in a fundamental understanding of these diverse phenomena by helping to develop a clear picture of the electronic structure of these molecules and the response of this electronic structure to electrical stimuli.
