Fast vibrational relaxation, ultrafast dynamics

The dynamics of fast processes such as electron and energy transfers and vibrational and electronic deexcitations can be probed by using short-pulsed lasers. The experimental developments that have made possible the direct probing of molecular dissociation steps and other ultrafast processes in real time (in the femtosecond time range) have, in a few cases, been extended to the study of surface phenomena. For instance, two-photon photoemission has been used to study the dynamics of electrons at interfaces [ ]. Vibrational relaxation times have also been measured for a number of modes such as the 0-Fl stretching m silica and the C-0 stretching in carbon monoxide adsorbed on transition metals [ ]. Pump-probe laser experiments such as these are difficult, but the field is still in its infancy, and much is expected in this direction m the near fiitiire. 

Time resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy of condensed matter has been recently extended to the femtosecond domain allowing direct and detailed studies of the fast relaxation processes of molecular vibrations in liquids. The vibrational phase relaxation (dephasing) is a fundamental physical process of molecular dynamics and has attracted considerable attention. Both experimental and theoretical studies have been performed to understand microscopic processes of vibrational dephasing. Developments in ultrafast coherent spectroscopy enables one now to obtain direct time-domain information on molecular vibrational dynamics. Femtosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering measuring systems have been constructed (see Sec. 3.6.2.2.3) with an overall time resolution of less than 100 fs (10 s). Pioneering work has been per-... 

The vibronic spectra of Do — Di — D2 electronic states recoded by da Silva Filho et al. [45] revealed resolved vibrational structures of the Do and D2 electronic states and a broad and structureless band for the Di state. A slow ( 3-20 ps) and fast k, 200 fs) relaxation components are estimated for the Dq D2 transition in a (femto)picosecond transient grating spectroscopy measurements [16]. The fast component is attributed to the Do D2 transition and a nonradiative relaxation time of 212 fs is also estimated from the cavity ringdown (CRD) spectroscopy data [42]. Electronic structure results of Hall et al. [107] suggest that the nonradiative Do D2 relaxation occurs via two consecutive sloped type CIs [66,108]. We developed a global model PESs for the Do — Di— D2 electronic states and devised a vibronic coupling model to study the nuclear dynamics underlying the complex vibronic spectrum and ultrafast excited state decay of N +[20]. 

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