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Studies with crossed laser and molecular beams

NOV 01, 1980
Experiments with intersecting beams of photons and molecules can give detailed information on the dynamics of chemical reactions at the level of individual atoms and molecules.
Yuan T. Lee
Y. Ron Shen

During the last twenty years sophisticated microscopic experimental techniques and large‐scale theoretical computations have significantly enhanced our understanding of the detailed dynamics of chemical reactions. The development of computer codes to perform lengthy and detailed computations has made it possible to clarify the connection between the first principles of quantum chemistry and the behavior of substances in the real world. Modern spectroscopy, laser technology and molecular‐beam methods allow us to observe chemical reactions on the atomic and molecular levels in great detail.

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References

  1. 1. R. D. Levine, R. B. Bernstein, Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Oxford U.P., Oxford, 1974.

  2. 2. G. E. Bush, K. R. Wilson, J. Chem. Phys. 56, 3638 (1972).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  3. 3. M. J. Redmon, R. E. Wyatt, Chem. Phys. Lett. 63, 209 (1979).https://doi.org/CHPLBC

  4. 4. See, for example: V. S. Letokhov, PHYSICS TODAY, May 1977, page 23.
    N. Bloembergen, E. Yablonovitch, PHYSICS TODAY, May 1978, page 23.
    Multiphoton Excitation and Dissociation of Polyatomic Molecules, C. D. Cantrell, ed., Springer, New York (to be published).

  5. 5. More details can be found in the following review articles: E. R. Grant, P. A. Schulz, Aa. S. Sudbo/, M. J. Coggiola, Y. T. Lee, Y. R. Shen, in Laser Spectroscopy III, J. L. Hall, J. L. Carlson, eds., Springer, New York (1977), page 94.
    Aa. S. Sudbo/, P. A. Schulz, D. J. Krajnovich, Y. R. Shen, Y. T. Lee, in Advances in Laser Chemistry, A. H. Zewail, ed., Springer, New York, (1978), page 308.
    P. A. Schulz, Aa. S. Sudbo/, D. J. Krajnovich, H. S. Kwok, Y. R. Shen, and Y. T. Lee, Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem. 30, 379 (1979).https://doi.org/ARPLAP

  6. 6. D. M. Larsen, N. Bloembergen, Optics Commun. 17, 254 (1976).
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  8. 8. See, for example, P. J. Robinson, K. A. Holbrook, Unimolecular Reactions Wiley, New York (1972).

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  10. 10. P. A. Schulz, Aa. S. Sudbo/, E. R. Grant, Y. R. Shen, Y. T. Lee, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 4985 (1980).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  11. 11. T. E. Gough, R. E. Miller, G. Scoles, J. Chem. Phys. 69, 1588 (1978); https://doi.org/JCPSA6
    H. S. Kwok, D. J. Krajnovich, M. Vernon, Y. R. Shen, Y. T. Lee, XIth International Quantum Electronics Conference (Boston, June 1980) paper D‐5.

  12. 12. See, for example, J. E. Kenny, K. E. Johnson, W. Sharfin, D. H. Levy, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 1109 (1980), and references therein.https://doi.org/JCPSA6

More about the authors

Yuan T. Lee, University of California, Berkeley.

Y. Ron Shen, University of California, Berkeley.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 33, Number 11

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