Cavity induced modulation of intramolecular vibrational energy flow pathways

Recent experiments in polariton chemistry indicate that reaction rates can be significantly enhanced or suppressed inside an optical cavity. One possible explanation for the rate modulation involves the cavity mode altering the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) pathways by coupling to specific molecular vibrations in the vibrational strong coupling (VSC) regime. However, the mechanism for such a cavity-mediated modulation of IVR is yet to be understood. In a recent study, Ahn et al. [Science 380, 1165 (2023)] observed that the rate of alcoholysis of phenyl isocyanate (PHI) is considerably suppressed when the cavity mode is tuned to be resonant with the isocyanate (NCO) stretching mode of PHI. Here, we analyze the quantum and classical IVR dynamics of a model effective Hamiltonian for PHI involving the high-frequency NCO-stretch mode and two of the key low-frequency phenyl ring modes. We compute various indicators of the extent of IVR in the cavity-molecule system and show that tuning the cavity frequency to the NCO-stretching mode strongly perturbs the cavity-free IVR pathways. Subsequent IVR dynamics involving the cavity and the molecular anharmonic resonances lead to efficient scrambling of an initial NCO-stretching overtone state over the molecular quantum number space. We also show that the hybrid light-matter states of the effective Hamiltonian undergo a localization-delocalization transition in the VSC regime.

Geometrical decomposition of nonadiabatic interactions to collective coordinates in many-dimensional and many-state mixed fast-slow dynamics

In general, for many-dimensional and many-state nonadiabatic dynamics composed of slow and fast modes, we geometrically decompose the nonadiabatic interactions by means of the method of singular value decomposition. Each pair of the left and right singular vectors connecting the slow (nuclear) and fast (electronic) modes gives rise to a one-dimensional collective coordinate, and the sum of them amounts to the total nonadiabatic interaction. The analysis identifies how efficiently the slow modes, thus decomposed, can induce a transition in their fast counterparts. We discuss the notions of nonadiabatic resonance and nonadiabatic chaos in terms of the decomposition.

Quantum Dynamics of Oblique Vibrational States in the Hénon-Heiles System

In this paper, we study the quantum time evolution of oblique nonstationary vibrational states in a Hénon-Heiles oscillator system with two dissociation channels, which models the stretching vibrational motions of triatomic molecules. The oblique nonstationary states we are interested in are the eigenfunctions of the anharmonic zero-order Hamiltonian operator resulting from the transformation to oblique coordinates, which are defined as those coming from nonorthogonal coordinate rotations that express the matrix representation of the second-order Hamiltonian in a block diagonal form characterized by the polyadic quantum number n = n1 + n2. The survival probabilities calculated show that the oblique nonstationary states evolve within their polyadic group with a high degree of coherence up to the dissociation limits on the short time scale. The degree of coherence is certainly much higher than that exhibited by the local nonstationary states extracted from the conventional orthogonal rotation of the original normal coordinates. We also show that energy exchange between the oblique vibrational modes occurs in a much more regular way than the exchange between the local modes.

Modulated super-Gaussian laser pulse to populate a dark rovibrational state of acetylene

A pulse-shaping technique in the mid-infrared spectral range based on pulses with a super-Gaussian temporal profile is considered for laser control. We show a realistic and efficient path to the population of a dark rovibrational state in acetylene (C2H2). The laser-induced dynamics in C2H2 are simulated using fully experimental structural parameters. Indeed, the rotation-vibration energy structure, including anharmonicities, is defined by the global spectroscopic Hamiltonian for the ground electronic state of C2H2 built from the extensive high-resolution spectroscopy studies on the molecule, transition dipole moments from intensities, and the effects of the (inelastic) collisions that are parameterized from line broadenings using the relaxation matrix [A. Aerts, J. Vander Auwera, and N. Vaeck, J. Chem. Phys. 154, 144308 (2021)]. The approach, based on an effective Hamiltonian, outperforms today's ab initio computations both in terms of accuracy and computational cost for this class of molecules. With such accuracy, the Hamiltonian permits studying the inner mechanism of theoretical pulse shaping [A. Aerts et al., J. Chem. Phys. 156, 084302 (2022)] for laser quantum control. Here, the generated control pulse presents a number of interferences that take advantage of the control mechanism to populate the dark state. An experimental setup is proposed for in-laboratory investigation.

Spectroscopy of Radicals, Clusters, and Transition States Using Slow Electron Velocity-Map Imaging of Cryogenically Cooled Anions

Slow electron velocity-map imaging of cryogenically cooled anions (cryo-SEVI) is a high-resolution variant of anion photoelectron spectroscopy that has been applied with considerable success over the years to the study of radicals, size-selected clusters, and transition states for unimolecular and bimolecular reactions. Cryo-SEVI retains the versatility of conventional anion photoelectron spectroscopy while offering sub-meV resolution, thereby enabling the resolution of vibrational structure in the photoelectron spectra of complex anions. This Feature Article describes recent experiments in our laboratory using cryo-SEVI, including a new research direction in which anions are vibrationally pre-excited with an infrared laser pulse prior to photodetachment.

Vibronic resonance along effective modes mediates selective energy transfer in excitonically coupled aggregates

We recently proposed effective normal modes for excitonically coupled aggregates that exactly transform the energy transfer Hamiltonian into a sum of one-dimensional Hamiltonians along the effective normal modes. Identifying physically meaningful vibrational motions that maximally promote vibronic mixing suggested an interesting possibility of leveraging vibrational-electronic resonance for mediating selective energy transfer. Here, we expand on the effective mode approach, elucidating its iterative nature for successively larger aggregates, and extend the idea of mediated energy transfer to larger aggregates. We show that energy transfer between electronically uncoupled but vibronically resonant donor-acceptor sites does not depend on the intermediate site energy or the number of intermediate sites. The intermediate sites simply mediate electronic coupling such that vibronic coupling along specific promoter modes leads to direct donor-acceptor energy transfer, bypassing any intermediate uphill energy transfer steps. We show that the interplay between the electronic Hamiltonian and the effective mode transformation partitions the linear vibronic coupling along specific promoter modes to dictate the selectivity of mediated energy transfer with a vital role of interference between vibronic couplings and multi-particle basis states. Our results suggest a general design principle for enhancing energy transfer through synergistic effects of vibronic resonance and weak mediated electronic coupling, where both effects individually do not promote efficient energy transfer. The effective mode approach proposed here paves a facile route toward four-wavemixing spectroscopy simulations of larger aggregates without severely approximating resonant vibronic coupling.

Fundamental studies of vibrational resonance phenomena by multivalued resummation of the divergent Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory series: deciphering polyad structures of three H216O isotopologues

A fundamental quantitative study of the vibrational resonances of three H₂¹⁶O H,D-isotopologues with a quartic Watson Hamiltonian was carried out using the resummation of the high-order (∼λⁿ, n ≤ 203) divergent Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory (RSPT) series by quartic Padé-Hermite multivalued diagonal approximants PH^[m,m,m,m,m], m ≤ 40. The resonance condition between a pair of states is formulated as the existence of a common complex energy solution branch point inside the unit circle: |E(λ_j)|,  Re(λ_j)² + Im(λ_j)² ≤ 1. For the matrix formulation of the vibrational problem (VCI), the existence of common branch points is governed by the Katz theorem and they can be found as roots of discriminant polynomials. The main branches of the Padé-Hermite approximants typically reproduce VCI energies with high accuracy while alternative branches often fit nearby resonant states. The resummation of the RSPT series for H₂O and D₂O (up to the tenth polyad) revealed not only Fermi and Darling-Dennison resonances, but also unusual (0,2,-5) and (5,-2,0) resonance effects matching the (5,2,5) polyad structure, while the (3,2,1) structure was rigorously confirmed for HDO. It is demonstrated that the (5,2,5) polyad structure ensures good organization of high-energy resonating states and breaks down the classic (2,1,2) structure. The advocated methodology of quantitative description of resonance phenomena and revealing polyad structures is suitable for larger molecules and can be adapted to linear molecules and symmetric tops. Its application ensures rigorous classification of vibrational states and can be used in quantitative vibration-rotation spectroscopy.

Laser control of a dark vibrational state of acetylene in the gas phase—Fourier transform pulse shaping constraints and effects of decoherence

We propose a methodology to tackle the laser control of a non-stationary dark ro-vibrational state of acetylene (C2H2), given realistic experimental limitations in the 7.7 μm (1300 cm−1) region. Simulations are performed using the Lindblad master equation, where the so-called Lindblad parameters are used to describe the effect of the environment in the dilute gas phase. A phenomenological representation of the parameters is used, and they are extracted from high-resolution spectroscopy line broadening data. An effective Hamiltonian is used for the description of the system down to the rotational level close to experimental accuracy. The quality of both the Hamiltonian and Lindblad parameters is assessed by a comparison of a calculated infrared spectrum with the available experimental data. A single shaped laser pulse is used to perform the control, where elements of optics and pulse shaping using masks are introduced with emphasis on experimental limitations. The optimization procedure, based on gradients, explicitly takes into account the experimental constraints. Control performances are reported for shaping masks of increasing complexity. Although modest performances are obtained, mainly due to the strong pulse shaping constraints, we gain insights into the control mechanism. This work is the first step toward the conception of a realistic experiment that will allow for population characterization and manipulation of a non-stationary vibrational “dark” state. Effects of the collisions on the laser control in the dilute gas phase, leading to decoherence in the molecular system, are clearly shown.

A quantum molecular movie: polyad predissociation dynamics in the VUV excited 3pσ2Σu state of NO2

The optical formation of coherent superposition states, a wavepacket, can allow the study of zeroth-order states, the evolution of which exhibit structural and electronic changes as a function of time: this leads to the notion of a molecular movie. Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution, due to anharmonic coupling between modes, is the molecular movie considered here. There is no guarantee, however, that the formed superposition will behave semi-classically (e.g. Gaussian wavepacket dynamics) or even as an intuitively useful zeroth-order state. Here we present time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) studies of an electronically excited triatomic molecule wherein the vibrational dynamics must be treated quantum mechanically and the simple picture of population flow between coupled normal modes fails. Specifically, we report on vibronic wavepacket dynamics in the zeroth-order 3pσ2Σu Rydberg state of NO2. This wavepacket exemplifies two general features of excited state dynamics in polyatomic molecules: anharmonic multimodal vibrational coupling (forming polyads); nonadiabatic coupling between nuclear and electronic coordinates, leading to predissociation. The latter suggests that the polyad vibrational states in the zeroth-order 3p Rydberg manifold are quasi-bound and best understood to be scattering resonances. We observed a rapid dephasing of an initially prepared 'bright' valence state into the relatively long-lived 3p Rydberg state whose multimodal vibrational dynamics and decay we monitor as a function of time. Our quantum simulations, based on an effective spectroscopic Hamiltonian, describe the essential features of the multimodal Fermi resonance-driven vibrational dynamics in the 3p state. We also present evidence of polyad-specificity in the state-dependent predissociation rates, leading to free atomic and molecular fragments. We emphasize that a quantum molecular movie is required to visualize wavepacket dynamics in the 3pσ2Σu Rydberg state of NO2.

Stable chaos and delayed onset of statisticality in unimolecular dissociation reactions

Statistical models provide a powerful and useful class of approximations for calculating reaction rates by bypassing the need for detailed, and often difficult, dynamical considerations. Such approaches invariably invoke specific assumptions about the extent of intramolecular vibrational energy flow in the system. However, the nature of the transition to the statistical regime as a function of the molecular parameters is far from being completely understood. Here, we use tools from nonlinear dynamics to study the transition to statisticality in a model unimolecular reaction by explicitly visualizing the high dimensional classical phase space. We identify generic features in the phase space involving the intersection of two or more independent anharmonic resonances and show that the presence of correlated, but chaotic, intramolecular dynamics near such junctions leads to nonstatisticality. Interestingly, akin to the stability of asteroids in the Solar System, molecules can stay protected from dissociation at the junctions for several picoseconds due to the phenomenon of stable chaos.

Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution and the quantum ergodicity transition: a phase space perspective

The onset of facile intramolecular vibrational energy flow can be related to features in the connected network of anharmonic resonances in the classical phase space.

Relevance of the Resonance Junctions on the Arnold Web to Dynamical Tunneling and Eigenstate Delocalization

We study the competition and correspondence between the classical and quantum routes to intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) in a three degrees of freedom model effective Hamiltonian. Specifically, we focus on the classical and the quantum dynamics near the resonance junctions on the Arnold web that are formed by an intersection of independent resonances. The regime of interest models the IVR dynamics from highly excited initial states near dissociation thresholds of molecular systems wherein both classical and purely quantum, involving dynamical tunneling, routes to IVR coexist. In the vicinity of a resonance junction, classical chaos is inevitably present, and hence one expects the quantum IVR pathways to have a strong classical component as well. We show that with increasing resonant coupling strengths the classical component of IVR leads to a transition from coherent dynamical tunneling to incoherent dynamical tunneling. Furthermore, we establish that the quantum IVR dynamics can be predicted based on the structures on the classical Arnold web. In addition, we investigate the nature of the highly excited eigenstates to identify the quantum signatures of the multiplicity-2 junctions. For the parameter regimes studies herein, by projecting the eigenstates onto the Arnold web, we find that eigenstates in the vicinity of the junctions are primarily delocalized due to dynamical tunneling.

Assigning the low lying vibronic states of CH3O and CD3O

The assignment of lines in vibrational spectra in strongly mixing systems is considered. Several low lying vibrational states of the ground electronic X∼²E state of the CH₃O and CD₃O radicals are assigned. Jahn-Teller, spin-orbit, and Fermi couplings mix the normal mode states. The mixing complicates the assignment of the infrared spectra using a zero-order normal mode representation. Alternative zero-order representations, which include specific Jahn-Teller couplings, are explored. These representations allow for definitive assignments. In many instances it is possible to plot the wavefunctions on which the assignments are based. The plots, which are shown in the adiabatic representation, allow one to visualize the effects of various higher order couplings. The plots also enable one to visualize the conical seam and its effect on the wavefunctions. The first and the second order Jahn-Teller couplings in the rocking motion dominate the spectral features in CH₃O, while first order and modulated first order couplings dominate the spectral features in CD₃O. The methods described here are general and can be applied to other Jahn-Teller systems.

Advances in spectroscopy and dynamics of small and medium sized molecules and clusters

Investigations of the spectroscopy and dynamics of small- and medium-sized molecules and clusters represent a hot topic in atmospheric chemistry, biology, physics, atto- and femto-chemistry and astrophysics.

Resummation of divergent perturbation series: Application to the vibrational states of H2CO molecule

Large-order Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory (RSPT) is applied to the calculation of anharmonic vibrational energy levels of H2CO molecule. We use the model of harmonic oscillators perturbed by anharmonic terms of potential energy. Since the perturbation series typically diverge due to strong couplings, we apply the algebraic approximation technique because of its effectiveness shown earlier by Goodson and Sergeev [J. Chem. Phys. 110, 8205 (1999); ibid. 124, 094111 (2006)] and in our previous articles [A. D. Bykov et al. Opt. Spectrosc. 114, 396 (2013); ibid. 116, 598 (2014)]. To facilitate the resummation of terms contributing to perturbed states, when resonance mixing between states is especially strong and perturbation series diverge very quick, we used repartition of the Hamiltonian by shifting the normal mode frequencies. Energy levels obtained by algebraic approximants were compared with the results of variational calculation. It was found that for low energy states (up to ∼5000 cm(-1)), algebraic approximants gave accurate values of energy levels, which were in excellent agreement with the variational method. For highly excited states, strong and multiple resonances complicate series resummation, but a suitable change of normal mode frequencies allows one to reduce the resonance mixing and to get accurate energy levels. The theoretical background of the problem of RSPT series divergence is discussed along with its numerical analysis. For these purposes, the vibrational energy is considered as a function of a complex perturbation parameter. Layout and classification of its singularities allow us to model the asymptotic behavior of the perturbation series and prove the robustness of the algorithm.

Criteria for first- and second-order vibrational resonances and correct evaluation of the Darling-Dennison resonance coefficients using the canonical Van Vleck perturbation theory

The second-order vibrational Hamiltonian of a semi-rigid polyatomic molecule when resonances are present can be reduced to a quasi-diagonal form using second-order vibrational perturbation theory. Obtaining exact vibrational energy levels requires subsequent numerical diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix including the first- and second-order resonance coupling coefficients. While the first-order Fermi resonance constants can be easily calculated, the evaluation of the second-order Darling-Dennison constants requires more complicated algebra for seven individual cases with different numbers of creation-annihilation vibrational quanta. The difficulty in precise evaluation of the Darling-Dennison coefficients is associated with the previously unrecognized interference with simultaneously present Fermi resonances that affect the form of the canonically transformed Hamiltonian. For the first time, we have presented the correct form of the general expression for the evaluation of the Darling-Dennison constants that accounts for the underlying effect of Fermi resonances. The physically meaningful criteria for selecting both Fermi and Darling-Dennison resonances are discussed and illustrated using numerical examples.

Aggregation-induced emission: the whole is more brilliant than the parts

"United we stand, divided we fall."--Aesop. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) refers to a photophysical phenomenon shown by a group of luminogenic materials that are non-emissive when they are dissolved in good solvents as molecules but become highly luminescent when they are clustered in poor solvents or solid state as aggregates. In this Review we summarize the recent progresses made in the area of AIE research. We conduct mechanistic analyses of the AIE processes, unify the restriction of intramolecular motions (RIM) as the main cause for the AIE effects, and derive RIM-based molecular engineering strategies for the design of new AIE luminogens (AIEgens). Typical examples of the newly developed AIEgens and their high-tech applications as optoelectronic materials, chemical sensors and biomedical probes are presented and discussed.