Chem 122
Molecular Spectroscopy
Spring 2008
Professor
GSI
Ronald Cohen
Drew Rollins
Objectives:
This course will focus on modern ideas for describing the interaction of radiation
and matter with an emphasis on the use spectroscopy for the study of molecular
structure and dynamics and as an analytical tool for quantitative analysis.
Lectures and class discussion will cover theoretical and practical considerations
for thinking about spectroscopy as applied to a variety of modern scientific
problems including:
Molecular structure
Chemical dynamics
Analytical chemistry in liquids
Earth’s atmosphere and climate
Kinetics of biomolecules
Topics
1. Review of quantum mechanics
2. Interaction of light with molecules
Classical and quantum descriptions of radiation,
multipole expansions, polarizability, perturbation theory,
Fermi’s Golden rule, Einstein coefficients
3. Spectroscopy and Molecular properties
Vibrations and rotations, Electronic structure, selection
rules and intensities, Franck-Condon principle, line
broadening,
4. Group Theory
5. Special topics
Earth’s atmosphere, single molecules, surface
spectroscopies, fs time resolved spectroscopy
Lectures:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 11-12 AM
433 Latimer Hall
Web Page: http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/chem122
Lecturer:
Professor Ronald C. Cohen
B45 Hildebrand Hall
Office hours: Monday 3:00-4:00 Thursday 3:00-4:00
E-mail: rccohen@berkeley.edu
GSI:
Drew Rollins
B47 Hildebrand Hall
Office hours: Tuesday 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00
E-mail: ice@calmail.berkeley.edu
Text:
Jeanne McHale: Molecular Spectroscopy
Prentice-Hall, First edition
Additional readings from current literature and other supplemental texts.
Grading:
The approximate composition of your course grade will be:
2 Projects
40%
Take home Midterm
(March 19)
20%
Final Exam
30%
Homework
10%
Projects: Both projects are to prepare a Powerpoint
presentation and to turn in an accompanying 3-5 page paper.
The target audience for your talks and write-up should be
your classmates.
Project #1. Spectroscopic Techniques:
Teach the class about a state-of-the-art method for measuring
absorption, fluorescence or scattering. Include an instrument
diagram, assessment of detection limit, resolution and S/N.
Provide a brief overview of the historical evolution of the
method. Discuss type of application the method is best suited
to. Limit two talks per technique on a first come basis. Sign
up with Drew. (aim for a 10 minute, 7 slide talk).
Presentations in class on February 27&29.
Write-up due 1-week later.
Project #2. Applications of Spectroscopy
Either teach the class about a molecule, cluster or solid whose
structure or function was recently (within the last 3 years)
elucidated using spectroscopy or about a novel quantitative
measurement of the amount of a substance observed during
the last 3 yrs. Discuss the molecular energy levels, geometry,
and/or energy transfer kinetics. Discuss the experimental
design and implementation and include an assessment of
technical limits to solving the scientific question posed.
Describe unanswered questions. Limit one talk on any given
system. Sign up with Drew. (aim for a 15 minute 12 slide talk).
Presentations on April 26th or 27th.
Write up due by May 13th.
Homework
HW will be assigned weekly. I expect you to
come to class prepared to discuss the at
least 2 or 3 of the problems at the board
on the due date.
Beer’s law: I= I0e-nsl
What properties of the molecule are
required to interpret/predict its
UV/Vis absorption spectrum?
Fluorescence?
Absorption
Fluorescence
Including CI
Spectroscopy and climate
Reflected Sunlight
Earthlight
Hanel et al 1971
The Earth is in near radiative balance: Equal power arriving from the sun and
leaving as the earthshine
• Friday QM Review