Probing Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics Inspired by the Rhythms of Fireflies
DIPC Seminars
- Speaker
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Gregory D. Scholes, Princeton University
- When
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2019/04/12
14:00 - Place
- Donostia International Physics Center
- Add to calendar
-
iCal
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