Probing Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics Inspired by the Rhythms of Fireflies

DIPC Seminars

Speaker
Gregory D. Scholes, Princeton University
When
2019/04/12
14:00
Place
Donostia International Physics Center
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Probing Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics Inspired by the Rhythms of Fireflies Coherence phenomena arise from interference, or the addition, of wave-like amplitudes in phase [1]. While coherence has been shown to yield transformative new ways for improving function, advances have been limited to pristine matter, as quantum coherence is considered fragile. Here I will discuss how vibrational and vibronic wavepackets entrain ensembles of molecules, like the synchronized flashing of fireflies. I will discuss how this can be used to probe mechanisms of ultrafast dynamics and how in-step vibrational motion might be employed to control function on ultrafast timescales. I will give examples that include light-harvesting in photosynthesis, energy flow in organometallic molecules that is ‘wired’ by Fermi resonance, and ultrafast electron transfer in molecular systems. [1] Scholes, et al. “Optimal Coherence in Chemical and Biophysical Dynamics” Nature 543, 647–656 (2017). Host: David Casanova