Forschung

Overview and summary

Dynamics at surfaces is the field where atomic-scale understanding emerges concerning the elementary events important to interfacial energy transfer and surface chemistry. Following the tradition of gas-phase chemical dynamics, a well proven strategy is employed, where quantum-state, angle (both incident and recoil) and speed resolved experiments are compared with first-principle theoretical simulations. Eventually, theoretical advances can be obtained that are sufficient to quantitatively describe a variety of highly sophisticated experimental results obtained over a wide range of experimental conditions. Where such agreement can be achieved, the validated first principle theory can be used to reveal an atomic level movie of interactions important in the molecule surface encounters. In a sense, this approach is capable of informing us of the complete range of atomic motions contributing to the processes of interest.

In defining research concepts and strategies it is helpful to first ask the question: what distinguishes dynamics at surfaces from the well-studied field of dynamics in gas-phase chemical reactions. Many points come immediately to mind. First, the interactions present at a solid interface may dramatically alter the potential energy surface (PES), for example raising or lowering barriers to reactions in comparison to their gas phase counterparts. This is the principle of heterogeneous catalysis. The theoretical methods for calculating these changes in the PES are popular but not well tested. A second essential aspect of dynamics at surfaces concerns the fact that, in contrast to gas phase phenomena, the solid is an energy bath that can influence the outcome of chemical processes by supplying or draining energy from the reaction center in ways that are not possible in the gas phase. How translational energy is taken up by the solid during a molecular collision can influence the molecular trapping probability, the first step in all catalysis. How energy in molecular vibration exchanges with the solid can control the energy directly available to make and break chemical bonds. The research strategies used in the Department of Dynamics at Surfaces are designed to gain quantitative information about both of these essential defining aspects of the field.