9313344 Nibler In this project of the Physical Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division, Prof. J.W. Nibler of Oregon State University will undertake an investigation of the formation, growth, and surface/bulk properties of nanoclusters ranging in size from 1 to 100 nanometers. These clusters will be produced in a supersonic expansion and their phases, and thermodynamic temperatures, and other properties determined. The experimental technique will rely on non-linear Raman spectroscopies, specifically the methods of Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy (SRS) as well as double resonance methods. Clusters of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen molecules will be the principal species investigated. %%% The study of large clusters is now wide spread in chemistry, physics, and materials science and their fundamental properties remain to be more fully explored. Clusters composed of monomer molecules having no permanent dipole moment are not fully accessible to study by means of infrared spectroscopy. In such cases the Raman spectroscopic method is capable of providing the desired information. This research will provide information on the structures, phases, phase transitions, and surface effects of clusters. This information will be of importance for the development of theoretical models of cluster structure and dynamics. ***
