Abstract

Due to the significance of local electric fields and rapid solvent response for the ultrafast processes involved in chemical reactions, explicit molecular descriptions of the solvent and solute have an essential role in understanding the underlying microscopic dynamics. Recent progress in laser technology is enabling direct experimental observation of the fundamental events. At the same time, significant advances have been made in theoretical methods. The present contribution focusses on the direct connection now accessible between the two at the spectroscopic level, and the molecularly detailed pictures that are emerging. Here, we outline selected theoretical results for two experimentally investigated systems, namely aqueous halide ions and the hydrated electron.

© 1994 Optical Society of America