66323 - Chemical Properies in High Resolution Spectroscopy

Learning outcomes

After following this course, the student can analyze the rotational and the rovibrational spectra of molecular species in order to derive molecular properties.

Course contents

• Molecular structure

1. Born-Oppenheimer approximation
2. Euler angles
3. Vibro-rotational Hamiltonian
4. The principal moments of inertia
5. Expansion of the vibro-rotational Hamiltonian
6. The rigid rotor
7. The semi-rigid rotor
8. Determination of molecular structures

• Dipole moment

1. Multipole moments
2. Molecular dipole moment
3. Dipole in an electric fields
4. Interaction of radiation with a rotating molecule
5. Stark effect

• Inversion barriers
  

1. Double-minimum potential and inversion
2. Inversion splitting in pyramidal molecules
3. Inversion spectrum of NH3
4. Vibro-rotational spectrum of NH3

• Spectroscopic techniques

1. Absorption submillimeter-wave spectroscopy
2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

• Basics of programming

1. Python scripts for the course topics.
   

Readings/Bibliography

• Lecture notes.
• A. Bauder, «Fundamentals of Rotational Spectroscopy». In: Handbook of High-resolution Spectroscopy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2011.
• W. Gordy, R.L.Cook, Microwave Molecular Spectra 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, N. Y., 1984.

Teaching methods

Classes are organized as lectures in the classroom, in-class exercises, and laboratory exercises.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is evaluated only by means of the final examination. This aims at verifying the student's knowledge and skills by means of an oral exam. In the oral exam, the student presents a written report on the laboratory work and analyze one Python script, then one question concerning the course contents is asked to the student.

Teaching tools

Video projector, notebook, blackboard, computer, training laboratory equipment.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Dore