In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Giacinto Scoles of Princeton University will apply molecular beams to study the dynamics of molecular systems, particularly highly vibrationally excited (HVE) molecules. Intramolecular Vibrational Redistribution (IVR) in isolated molecules as well as the dynamics of HVE molecules colliding with surfaces will be the focus of most of this research. Molecules will be excited in high vibrational levels in supersonic beams and then directed onto surfaces. In other studies HVE polyatomics will be examined in the gas phase in the frequency domain to determine the effect of high energies which may be above barriers for bond breaking or isomerization. In these studies Scoles will be examining molecules which are highly energized in terms of the internal motions of the atoms relative to one another. Such molecules are usually more reactive than they are in their unenergized state. Hence, this project will be able to shed some light on many different types of chemical processes, from combustion to surface oxidation and catalysis.
