Search results for ""Author Irene Burghardt""

Ultrafast Dynamics at the Nanoscale provides a combined experimental and theoretical insight into the molecular-level investigation of light-induced quantum processes in biological systems and nanostructured (bio)assemblies. Topics include DNA photostability and repair, photoactive proteins, biological and artificial light-harvesting systems, plasmonic nanostructures, and organic photovoltaic materials, whose common denominator is the key importance of ultrafast quantum effects at the border between the molecular scale and the nanoscale. The functionality and control of these systems have been under intense investigation in recent years in view of developing a detailed understanding of ultrafast nanoscale energy and charge transfer, as well as fostering novel technologies based on sustainable energy resources.Both experiment and theory have made big strides toward meeting the challenge of these truly complex systems. This book, thus, introduces the reader to cutting-edge developments in ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopies and the quantum dynamical simulation of the observed dynamics, including direct simulations of two-dimensional optical experiments. Taken together, these techniques attempt to elucidate whether the quantum coherent nature of ultrafast events enhances the efficiency of the relevant processes and where the quantum–classical boundary sets in, in these high-dimensional biological and material systems. The chapters contain well-illustrated accounts of the authors’ research work, including didactic introductory material, and address a multidisciplinary audience from chemistry, physics, biology, and materials sciences. The book is, therefore, a must-have for graduate- and postgraduate-level researchers who wish to learn about molecular nanoscience from a combined spectroscopic and theoretical viewpoint.

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Continuing the tradition of the Advances in Chemical Physics series, Volume 101: Chemical Reactions and Their Control on the Femtosecond Time Scale details the extraordinary findings reported at the XXth Solvay Conference on Chemistry, held at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, from November 28 to December 2, 1995. This new volume discusses the remarkable opportunities afforded by the femtosecond laser, focusing on the host of phenomena this laser has made it possible to observe. Examining molecules on the intrinsic time scale of their vibrations as well as their dissociative motions and electronic excitations represents only part of a broadened scientific window made possible by the femtosecond laser. The assembled studies, with follow-up discussions, reflect the many specialties and perspectives of the Conference's 65 participants as well as their optimism concerning the breadth of scientific discovery now open to them. The studies shed light on the laser's enhanced technical reach in the area of coherent control of chemical reactions as well as of more general quantum systems. The theoretical fundamentals of femto-chemistry, the unique behavior of the femtosecond laser, and a view toward future technological applications were also discussed: Femtochemistry: chemical reaction dynamics and their control Coherent control with femtosecond laser pulses Femtosecond chemical dynamics in condensed phases Control of quantum many-body dynamics Experimental observation of laser control Solvent dynamics and RRKM theory of clusters High-resolution spectroscopy and intramolecular dynamics Molecular Rydberg states and ZEKE spectroscopy Transition-state spectroscopy and photodissociation Quantum and semiclassical theories of chemical reaction rates. A fascinating and informative status report on the cutting-edge chemical research made possible by the femtosecond laser, Chemical Reactions and Their Control on the Femtosecond Time Scale is an indispensable volume for professionals and students alike. The femtosecond laser and chemistry's extraordinary new frontier of molecular motions observed on the scale of a quadrillionth of a second. Research chemists have only tapped the surface of the spectacular reach and precision of the femtosecond laser, a technology that has allowed them to observe the dynamics of molecules on the intrinsic time scale of their vibrations, dissociative motions, and electronic excitations. Volume 101 in the Advances in Chemical Physics series, Chemical Reactions and Their Control on the Femtosecond Time Scale details their extraordinary findings, presented at the XXth Solvay Conference on Chemistry, in Brussels. The studies reflect the work, in part, of the Conference's 65 participants, including many prominent contributors. Together they shed light on the laser's enhanced technical range in the area of coherent control of chemical reactions as well as of more general quantum systems. The theoretical fundamentals of femtochemistry, the unique behavior of the femtosecond laser, and a view toward future technological applications were also discussed. An exceptionally up-to-date examination of the chemical analyses made possible by the femtosecond laser, Chemical Reactions and Their Control on the Femtosecond Time Scale is an important reference for professionals and students interested in enhancing their research capabilities with this remarkable tool. From 1993 to 1996, she worked with Dr. P. Gaspard at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, on the application of new semiclassical techniques to elementary chemical reaction processes.

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