Raman scattering mediated by neighboring molecules

Symmetry-based identification and enumeration of independent tensor properties in nonlinear and chiral optics

For many laser-based methods of material characterization and analysis, a tensor formulation of theory is necessary, especially in techniques that exploit nonlinear or chiral optics. The fundamental interactions that underpin such methods offer various levels of approach to theory, but the most rigorous often lead to equations of considerable complexity. To compute the values for individual material parameters frequently demands making assumptions of extreme simplicity, overly dependent on calculational method, yet still providing unsatisfactory results. A pragmatic and entirely rigorous symmetry-based approach to the irreducible tensorial structures circumvents many of these problems, securing reliable results and guiding the pathway to applications. Instead of focusing on individual tensor components, such an approach can rapidly determine the number of linearly independent quantities-and hence the number of operationally different setups necessary for full characterization. By such means, one can directly ascertain how variations of optical polarization and beam geometry can reliably capture the response of any material system. The use of an irreducible tensor method operates independently of any means that might be chosen to calculate material properties. It removes the need for common simplifying assumptions, such as the approximation of tensorial structure by a scalar representation, adoption of a two-state model, or disregarding near-resonance damping. It also obviates any dependence on a choice of simulation package or quantum-calculational software. In this paper, the principles are set down and illustrated by application to experiments of varying degrees of complexity, including interactions of growing significance in the realm of chiral nonlinear optics. Limitations of this approach are also critically assessed.

Analytic high-order energy derivatives for metal nanoparticle-mediated infrared and Raman scattering spectra within the framework of quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics model with induced charges and dipoles

This work is devoted to deriving and implementing analytic second- and third-order energy derivatives with respect to the nuclear coordinates and external electric field within the framework of the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method with induced charges and dipoles (QM/DIM). Using these analytic energy derivatives, one can efficiently compute the harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared (IR) and Raman scattering (RS) spectra of the molecule in the proximity of noble metal clusters/nanoparticles. The validity and accuracy of these analytic implementations are demonstrated by the comparison of results obtained by the finite-difference method and the analytic approaches and by the full QM and QM/DIM calculations. The complexes formed by pyridine and two sizes of gold clusters (Au18 and Au32) at varying intersystem distances of 3, 4, and 5 Å are used as the test systems, and Raman spectra of 4,4'-bipyridine in the proximity of Au2057 and Ag2057 metal nanoparticles (MNP) are calculated by the QM/DIM method and compared with experimental results as well. We find that the QM/DIM model can well reproduce the IR spectra obtained from full QM calculations for all the configurations, while although it properly enhances some of the vibrational modes, it artificially overestimates RS spectral intensities of several modes for the systems with very short intersystem distance. We show that this could be improved, however, by incorporating the hyperpolarizability of the gold metal cluster in the evaluation of RS intensities. Additionally, we address the potential impact of charge migration between the adsorbate and MNPs.

Mediation of resonance energy transfer by two polarisable particles

The molecular quantum electrodynamics theory is employed to calculate the matrix element and Fermi golden rule rate for resonant transfer of electronic excitation energy between a donor and an acceptor in the vicinity of two neutral electric dipole polarizable particles, which play the role of bridging species. The emitter and absorber couple linearly to the electric displacement field via their electric dipole moments, while each mediator interacts quadratically with this field through its dynamic polarizability. This form of interaction Hamiltonian enables fourth-order perturbation theory to be used to compute the probability amplitude together with summation over 24 time-ordered diagrams representing a single virtual photon exchange between each pair of coupled particles. Expressions for the migration rate mediated by two inert molecules are obtained for an arbitrary arrangement of the four species that are in fixed mutual orientation or are freely tumbling. These formulae are valid for all interparticle separation distances outside the orbital overlap region. From the general result, rate equations applicable to an equidistant collinear configuration of the four bodies are evaluated. Near- and far-zone limiting forms of the transfer rate for the relay pathway are also calculated and exhibit inverse sixth and inverse square dependences on relative separation distances between pairs of particles, confirming the short-range (radiationless) and long-range (radiative) energy transfer mechanisms associated with two-body theory. The distance behavior of interference terms between two-, three-, and four-body terms is also examined, and the relative importance of each contribution to the total transfer rate is discussed.