Phase behavior of methane haze

Infrared characterisation of acetonitrile and propionitrile aerosols under Titan's atmospheric conditions

Acetonitrile and propionitrile aerosols were generated under simulated Titan conditions where new insight into the ice morphology, particle size and formation/diffusion kinetics has been extracted by online infrared spectroscopy.

Internal Rotation of Methane Molecules in Large Clusters

Methane is one of the very few substances that show rotation of individual molecules in the crystalline phase. Here we explore the evolution of the rotation spectrum of methane from single molecules to clusters containing up to about 4 × 10(3) molecules. The clusters were assembled in He droplets at T = 0.38 K and studied via infrared laser spectroscopy in the ν3 region of the methane molecules. Well-resolved rotational structure in the spectra was observed in clusters containing up to about 50 molecules. We have concluded that in distinction to the crystals molecular rotation in methane clusters is confined to the surface and is enabled by low coordination of the molecules. On the contrary the molecules in the cluster's interior are in amorphous state wherein the rotation is quenched. These results demonstrate that even at very low temperature the surface of the methane clusters remains fluxional due to quantum effects.

From plasmon spectra of metallic to vibron spectra of dielectric nanoparticles

Light interacts surprisingly differently with small particles than with bulk or gas phase materials. This can cause rare phenomena such as the occurence of a "blue moon". Spectroscopic particle phenomena of similar physical origin have also spawned countless applications ranging from remote sensing to medicine. Despite the broad interest in particle spectra, their interpretation still poses many challenges. In this Account, we discuss the challenges associated with the analysis of infrared, or vibron, extinction spectra of small dielectric particles. The comparison with the more widely studied plasmon spectra of metallic nano-particles reveals many common features. The shape, size, and architecture of particles influence the band profiles in vibron and plasmon spectra in similar ways. However, the molecular structure of dielectric particles produces infrared spectral features that are more diverse and detailed or even unique to vibron spectra. More complexity means higher information content, but that also makes the spectra more difficult to interpret. Conventional models such as classical electromagnetic theory with a continuum description of the wavelength-dependent optical constants are often no longer applicable to these spectra. In cases where accurate optical constants are not available and for ultrafine particles, where the molecular structure and quantum effects become essential, researchers must resort to molecular models for light-particle interaction that do not require the prior knowledge of optical constants. In this Account, we illustrate how vibrational exciton approaches combined with molecular dynamics simulations and solid-state density functional calculations provide a viable solution to these challenges. Molecular models reveal two important characteristics of vibron spectra of small molecularly structured particles. The band profiles in vibron spectra are largely determined by transition dipole coupling between the molecules in a particle. Below a specific particle size limit, conventional models fail. Molecular models explain many other phenomena in particle spectra, such as size, shape, and mixing effects, providing the foundation for a better understanding of the interaction of solar radiation with aerosols and clouds and for the design of dielectric nanomaterials.

Intrinsic Particle Properties from Vibrational Spectra of Aerosols

The spectroscopy of aerosols is developing into an active and important field. It allows us to characterize aerosols in a nonintrusive way, in real time, and on site. Understanding the spectroscopic features of these highly complex systems requires the development of novel experimental as well as theoretical methods. This review focuses on infrared extinction spectra. The main goal is to summarize how information about intrinsic particle properties (such as size, shape, and architecture) can be gathered from observed spectroscopic patterns. We discuss the limitations of standard continuum approaches, which have been used for decades to analyze infrared spectra, and we demonstrate the importance of molecular models for the analysis of spectroscopic data.

Volume versus surface nucleation in freezing aerosols

The present study puts an end to the ongoing controversy regarding volume versus surface nucleation in freezing aerosols: Our study on nanosized aerosol particles demonstrates that current state of the art measurements of droplet ensembles cannot distinguish between the two mechanisms. The reasons are inherent experimental uncertainties as well as approximations used to analyze the kinetics. The combination of both can lead to uncertainties in the rate constants of two orders of magnitude, with important consequences for the modeling of atmospheric processes.