Abstract

We are using picosecond laser techniques to directly measure the rate of vibrational relaxation of molecules dissolved in liquids at room temperature. Vibrational excitation strongly influences a molecule’s chemical reaction rates and its spectroscopy. Knowledge of vibrational energy transfer (VET) rates and mechanisms is important in understanding chemistry caused by radiation (e.g., solar, laser, or ionizing radiation). The measurements are also important because there is presently no adequate theory for these fast kinetic process in liquids (theories for gases are well developed).

© 1984 Optical Society of America