Transporting and concentrating vibrational energy to promote isomerization

Rotational-Energy Transfer in H2 Ortho-Para Conversion on a Metal Surface: Interplay between Electron and Phonon Systems

Clarifying energy transfer processes in molecular adsorption on solid surfaces is essential to understand the gas-surface interaction. Unlike the vibrational-energy transfer processes, which are thought to be well understood in detail, the rotational-energy transfer process still remains unclear. Considering the interconversion between ortho and para states of H2 is accompanied by the nuclear spin flip and the rotational-energy transfer, the surface-temperature dependence of the ortho-to-para conversion of molecularly chemisorbed H2 on Pd(210) is studied. The conversion rate is accelerated with an increase in surface temperature. Based on the conversion model proposed for metal surfaces, we analyze the temperature dependence of the conversion rate, taking into account both electron and phonon systems of the substrate. The rotational-energy transfer is most likely mediated by surface electrons with the assistance of the substrate phonons.

Superconducting single-photon detectors in the mid-infrared for physical chemistry and spectroscopy

Applications of vibrational spectroscopy throughout the field of physical chemistry are limited by detectors with poor temporal resolution, low detection efficiency, and high background levels. Up to now, the field has relied upon detectors based on semiconducting materials with small bandgaps, which unavoidably leads to a compromise between good spectral response and noise at long wavelengths. However, a revolution in mid-infrared light detection is underway based on the interactions of photons with superconducting materials, which function under fundamentally different operating principles. Superconducting detectors were first used to detect light at shorter wavelengths. However, recent developments in their sensitivity toward mid-infrared wavelengths up to 10 μm provide new opportunities for applications in molecular science, such as infrared emission experiments, exoplanet spectroscopy and single molecule microscopy. In this tutorial review, we provide background information needed for the non-expert in superconducting light detection to apply these devices in the field of mid-infrared molecular spectroscopy. We present and compare the detection mechanisms and current developments of three types of superconducting detectors: superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), transition edge sensors (TESs), and microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs). We also highlight existing applications of SNSPDs for laser-induced infrared fluorescence experiments and discuss their potential for other molecular spectroscopy applications. Ultimately, superconducting infrared detectors have the potential to approach the sensitivity and characteristics of established single-photon detectors operating in the UV/Vis region, which have existed for almost a century and become an indispensable tool within the field of physical chemistry.

Spin-Forbidden Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation in Vibrationally Excited α-CO

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of laser-irradiated cryogenic crystals shows that vibrational excitation of CO leads to the production of equal amounts of CO₂ and C₃O₂. The reaction mechanism is explored using electronic structure calculations, demonstrating that the lowest-energy pathway involves a spin-forbidden reaction of (CO)₂ yielding C(³P) + CO₂. C(³P) then undergoes barrierless recombination with two other CO molecules forming C₃O₂. Calculated intersystem crossing rates support the spin-forbidden mechanism, showing subpicosecond spin-flipping time scales for a (CO)₂ geometry that is energetically consistent with states accessed through vibrational energy pooling. This spin-flip occurs with an estimated ∼4% efficiency; on the singlet surface, (CO)₂ reconverts back to CO monomers, releasing heat which induces CO desorption. The discovery that vibrational excitation of condensed-phase CO leads to spin-forbidden C–C bond formation may be important to the development of accurate models of interstellar chemistry.

Condensed-phase isomerization through tunnelling gateways

Quantum mechanical tunnelling describes transmission of matter waves through a barrier with height larger than the energy of the wave¹. Tunnelling becomes important when the de Broglie wavelength of the particle exceeds the barrier thickness; because wavelength increases with decreasing mass, lighter particles tunnel more efficiently than heavier ones. However, there exist examples in condensed-phase chemistry where increasing mass leads to increased tunnelling rates². In contrast to the textbook approach, which considers transitions between continuum states, condensed-phase reactions involve transitions between bound states of reactants and products. Here this conceptual distinction is highlighted by experimental measurements of isotopologue-specific tunnelling rates for CO rotational isomerization at an NaCl surface^3,4, showing nonmonotonic mass dependence. A quantum rate theory of isomerization is developed wherein transitions between sub-barrier reactant and product states occur through interaction with the environment. Tunnelling is fastest for specific pairs of states (gateways), the quantum mechanical details of which lead to enhanced cross-barrier coupling; the energies of these gateways arise nonsystematically, giving an erratic mass dependence. Gateways also accelerate ground-state isomerization, acting as leaky holes through the reaction barrier. This simple model provides a way to account for tunnelling in condensed-phase chemistry, and indicates that heavy-atom tunnelling may be more important than typically assumed.

Vibrational energy pooling via collisions between asymmetric stretching excited CO2: a quasi-classical trajectory study on an accurate full-dimensional potential energy surface

In low temperature plasmas, energy transfer between asymmetric stretching excited CO₂ molecules can be highly efficient, which leads to further excitation (and de-excitation) of the CO₂ molecules: CO₂(v_as) + CO₂(v_as) → CO₂(v_as + 1) + CO₂(v_as - 1). Through such a vibrational ladder climbing mechanism, CO₂ can be activated and eventually dissociates. To gain mechanistic insight of such processes, a full-dimensional accurate potential energy surface (PES) for the CO₂ + CO₂ system is developed using the permutational invariant polynomial-neural network method based on CCSD(T)-F12a/AVTZ energies at about 39 000 geometries. This PES is used in quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) studies of the vibrational energy transfer between CO₂ molecules excited in the asymmetric stretching mode. A machine learning algorithm is used to determine state-specific rate coefficients for the vibrational transfer processes from a limited data set. In addition to the CO₂(v_as + 1) + CO₂(v_as - 1) channel, the QCT simulations revealed significant contributions from the CO₂(v_as + 2,3) + CO₂(v_as - 2,3) channels, particularly at low collision energies/temperatures. These multi-vibrational-quantum processes are attributed to enhanced energy flow in the collisional complex formed by enhanced dipole-dipole interaction between asymmetric stretching excited CO₂ molecules.

Plasmon-driven light harvesting in poly(vinyl alcohol) films for precise surface topography modulation

Efficient light harvesting is essential for advanced photonic devices. Complex micro/nano surface relief structures can be produced via light-triggered mechanical movement, but limited in organic active molecular units. In this Letter, we propose to embed noble-metal particles into light-inactive polyvinyl alcohol matrix to construct a light harvesting system driven by plasmon for inscription of surface relief gratings. Ultra-small-sized silver nuclei are generated in the polymer by pre-thermal treatment, acting as an accelerator for the subsequent photoinduced particle growth, hydrogen group cleavage, and matrix softening. Based on such properties, a complex plasmonic array carrying ultra-high-density information is achieved with peristrophic multiplexing holography. This Letter paves a bright way to realize data storage, information encryption, and optical microcavity.