Clusters internal dynamics

To understand the fundamental photochemical processes in biologically relevant molecular systems, prototype molecules like phenol or indole - the chromophores of the amino acids tyrosine respective trypthophan - embedded in clusters of ammonia or water molecules are an important object of research. Numerous studies have been performed concerning the dynamics of photoinduced processes in phenol-ammonia or phenol-water clusters (see e. g. [1,2]). As a main result a hydrogen transfer reaction has been clearly indicated in phenol(NH3)n clusters [2], whereas for phenol(H20)n complexes no signature for such a reaction has been found. According to a general theoretical model [3] a similar behavior is expected for the indole molecule surrounded by ammonia or water clusters. As the primary step an internal conversion from the initially excited nn state to a dark 7ta state is predicted which may be followed by the H-transfer process on the 7ia potential energy surface. 

It is very likely that the metal-insulator transition, the unusual catalytic properties, the unusual degree of chemical reactivity, and perhaps even some of the ultramagnetic properties of metal clusters are all linked intimately with the dynamic, vibronic processes inherent in these systems. Consequently, the combination of pump-probe spectroscopy on the femtosecond time scale with theoretical calculations of wavepacket propagation on just this scale offers a tantalizing way to address this class of problems [5]. Here we describe the application of these methods to several kinds of metal clusters with applications to some specific, typical systems first, to the simplest examples of unperturbed dimers then, to trimers, in which internal vibrational redistribution (IVR) starts to play a central role and finally, to larger clusters, where dissociative processes become dominant. 

Fig. 2.49 Dynamic structure factor at two temperatures for a nearly symmetric PEP-PDMS diblock (V = 1110) determined using dynamic light scattering in the VV geometry at a fixed wavevector q = 2.5 X 10s cm-1 (Anastasiadis et al. 1993a). The inverse Laplace transform of the correlation function for the 90 °C data is shown in the inset. Three dynamic modes (cluster, heterogeneity and internal) are evident with increasing relaxation times.

Finally, one should relate the times shown in figure 2 to the time scale of the excitation process. The situation is rather simple for fast ionic collisions, as they are completed before any one of the constituents of the cluster can react. Laser excitations, ranging nowadays from 10 - 20 fs to anything longer, provide however a much wider choice of time profiles, which all interfere with several of the internal cluster processes. This gives rise to a rich variety of dynamical processes, which, to a large extent, have yet to be explored. 

Bowers KJ, Chow E, Xu H et al (2006) Scalable algorithms for molecular dynamics simulations on commodity clusters. In International conference for high performance computing,... 

Classical trajectory studies of the association reactions M+ + H20 and M+ + D20 with M = Li, Na, K (Hase et al. 1992 Hase and Feng 1981 Swamy and Hase 1982,1984), Li+(H20) + H20 (Swamy and Hase 1984), Li+ + (CH3)20 (Swamy and Hase 1984 Vande Linde and Hase 1988), and Cl- + CH3C1 (Vande Linde and Hase 1990a,b) are particularly relevant to cluster dynamics. In these studies, the occurrence of multiple inner turning points in the time dependence of the association radial coordinate was taken as the criterion for complex formation. A critical issue (Herbst 1982) is whether the collisions transfer enough energy from translation to internal motions to result in association. Comparison of association probabilities from various studies leads to the conclusion that softer and/or floppier ions and molecules that have low frequency vibrations typically recombine the most efficiently. Thus, it has been found that Li+ + (CH3)20 association is more likely than Li+ + H20 association, and similarly H20 association with Li(H20)+ is more likely than with the bare cation Li+. The authors found a nonmonotonic dependence of association probability on the assumed HaO bend frequency and also a dependence on the impact parameter, the rotational temperature, and the orientation of the H20 dipole during the collision. 

The most important conclusions of these dynamical studies is that van der Waals clusters behave in a statistical manner and that IVR/VP kinetics are given by standard vibrational relaxation theories (Beswick and Jortner 1981 Jortner et al. 1988 Lin 1980 Mukamel and Jortner 1977) and unimolecular dissociation theories (Forst 1973 Gilbert and Smith 1990 Kelley and Bernstein 1986 Levine and Bernstein 1987 Pritchard 1984 Robinson and Holbrook 1972 Steinfeld et al. 1989). One can even arrive at a prediction for final chromophore product state distributions based on low energy chromophore modes. If rIVR tvp [4EA(Ar)i], a statistical distribution of cluster states is not achieved and vibrational population of the cluster does not reflect an internal equilibrium distribution of vibrational energy between vdW and chromophore states. If tvp rIVR, and internal vibrational equilibrium between the vibrational modes is established, and the relative intensities of the Ar = 0 torsional sequence bands of the bare chromophore following IVR/VP can be accurately calculated. A statisticsl sequential IVR/VP model readily explains the data set (i.e., rates, intensities, final product state distributions) for these clusters. 

Danell AS, Danell RM, Parks JH (2005) Dynamics of gas phase oligonucleotides. Clusters and Nano-Assemblies Physical and Biological Systems, [International Symposium], Richmond, VA, United States, Nov.10-13, 2004393-406. 

---