Femtosecond Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Molecular and Cluster Anions

University Of California-Berkeley, Berkeley CA

Investigators

Abstract

Professor Daniel Neumark of University of California Berkeley is supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry program to perform experimental studies on time resolved dynamics in molecular and cluster anions. One of the goals of the work is to understand the significant differences in the gas phase and solution dissociation dynamics of solvated anions, paying particular attention to the effects of the excess electron. The work continues studies using femtosecond photoelectron spectroscopy and also will include new investigations into photoelectron angular distributions. The fundamental study of anions in clusters will lead to insights about solvation of these species, which are of great importance in electrochemical and biochemical processes, as well as in chemical synthesis. Understanding the changes that occur in reactivity when a process is transferred from the gas to the solution phases will allow us to better utilize decades of gas phase data in applications in the condensed phase, where most industrial applications occur.