Discover
/
Article

State‐to‐state reaction dynamics

NOV 01, 1980
Tunable lasers facilitate the finding of relative probabilities for forming product molecules in specified quantum states from reagents in selected states, a long‐standing objective in chemical dynamics.
Richard N. Zare
Richard B. Bernstein

The study of chemical reaction kinetics can be likened to the task of making a motion picture of a reaction. The trouble thus far with achieving this goal seems to be the problem of too many would‐be actors who strut upon the stage without proper cue and mumble their lines too rapidly to be understood—for chemical reactions occur with the ease of striking a match and at a speed so fast (on a subpicosecond time scale for the making of new bonds and breaking of old ones) as to be a severe challenge to the moviemaker who would like to record individual frames.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. R. D. Levine, R. B. Bernstein, Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Clarendon Press, Oxford (1974).

  2. 2. P. R. Brooks, E. F. Hayes Jr, (eds.), State‐to‐State Chemistry, ACS Symposium Series No. 56, Amer. Chem. Soc., Wash. D.C. (1977).

  3. 3. J. I. Steinfeld, M. S. Wrighton, (eds.), The Laser Revolution in Energy‐Related Chemistry, M. I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass. (1976);
    T. F. George, (ed.), Theoretical Aspects of Laser Radiation and its Interaction with Atomic and Molecular Systems, Univ. of Rochester, N.Y. (1978).

  4. 4. R. D. Levine, R. B. Bernstein, Acc. Chem. Res. 7, 393 (1974).https://doi.org/ACHRE4

  5. 5. M. Kneba, U. Wellhausen, J. Wolfrum, Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 83, 940 (1979).https://doi.org/BBPCAX

  6. 6. M. Kneba, J. Wolfrum, Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem. 31, 47 (1980).https://doi.org/ARPLAP

  7. 7. K. V. Reddy, M. J. Berry, Chem. Phys. Lett. 66, 223 (1979).https://doi.org/CHPLBC

  8. 8. H. H. Dispert, M. W. Geis, P. R. Brooks, J. Chem. Phys. 70, 5317 (1979).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  9. 9. Z. Karny, R. C. Estler, R. N. Zare, J. Chem. Phys. 69, 5199 (1978).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  10. 10. R. N. Zare, P. J. Dagdigian, Science 185, 739 (1974); https://doi.org/SCIEAS
    R. N. Zare, Far. Disc. Chem. Soc. 67, 7 (1979);
    J. L. Kinsey, Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem. 28, 349 (1977).https://doi.org/ARPLAP

  11. 11. C. M. Miller, R. N. Zare, Chem. Phys. Lett. 71, 376 (1980).https://doi.org/CHPLBC

  12. 12. P. Andresen, A. C. Luntz, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 5842 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  13. 13. J. L. Kinsey, J. Chem. Phys. 66, 2560 (1977).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  14. 14. E. J. Murphy, J. H. Brophy, G. S. Arnold, W. L. Dimpfl, J. L. Kinsey, J. Chem. Phys. 70, 5910 (1979).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  15. 15. P. M. Johnson, Acc. Chem. Res. 13, 20 (1980).https://doi.org/ACHRE4

  16. 16. L. Zandee, R. B. Bernstein, J. Chem. Phys. 71, 1359 (1979).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  17. 17. D. A. Lichtin, S. Datta‐Ghosh, K. R. Newton, R. B. Bernstein, Chem. Phys. Lett. 75, 214 (1980).https://doi.org/CHPLBC

  18. 18. D. L. Lubman, R. Naaman, R. N. Zare, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 3034 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  19. 19. A. Gupta, D. S. Perry, R. N. Zare, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 6250 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  20. 20. A. Torres‐Filho, J. G. Pruett, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 6736 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  21. 21. A. M. F. Lau, Phys. Rev. A 13, 139 (1976)
    and A. M. F. Lau, 19, 1117 (1979); https://doi.org/PLRAAN , Phys. Rev. A
    J. M. Yuan, T. F. George, F. J. McLafferty, Chem. Phys. Lett. 40, 163 (1976); https://doi.org/CHPLBC
    J. M. Yuan, T. F. George, J. Chem. Phys. 70, 990 (1979); https://doi.org/JCPSA6
    A. E. Orel, W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 70, 4393 (1979)
    and A. E. Orel, W. H. Miller, 73, 241 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6 , J. Chem. Phys.

  22. 22. P. Hering, P. R. Brooks, R. F. CurlJr, R. S. Judson, R. S. Lowe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 44, 687 (1980).https://doi.org/PRLTAO

More about the Authors

Richard N. Zare. Stanford University.

Richard B. Bernstein. Columbia University.

Related content
/
Article
Figuring out how to communicate with the public can be overwhelming. Here’s some advice for getting started.
/
Article
Amid growing investment in planetary-scale climate intervention strategies that alter sunlight reflection, global communities deserve inclusive and accountable oversight of research.
/
Article
Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.
/
Article
As conventional lithium-ion battery technology approaches its theoretical limits, researchers are studying alternative architectures with solid electrolytes.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1980_11.jpeg

Volume 33, Number 11

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.