A graduate-level text that examines the semiclassical approach to quantum mechanics Physical systems have been traditionally described in terms of either classical or quantum mechanics. But in recent years, semiclassical methods have developed rapidly, providing deep physical insight and computational tools for quantum dynamics and spectroscopy. In this book, Eric Heller introduces and develops this subject, demonstrating its power with many examples. In the first half of the book, Heller covers relevant aspects of classical mechanics, building from them the semiclassical way through the semiclassical limit of the Feynman path integral. The second half of the book applies this approach to various kinds of spectroscopy, such as molecular spectroscopy and electron imaging and quantum dynamical systems with an emphasis on tunneling. Adopting a distinctly time-dependent viewpoint, Heller argues for semiclassical theories from experimental and theoretical vantage points valuable to research in physics and chemistry. Featuring more than two hundred figures, the book provides a geometric, phase-space, and coordinate-space pathway to greater understanding. Filled with practical examples and applications, The Semiclassical Way to Dynamics and Spectroscopy is a comprehensive presentation of the tools necessary to successfully delve into this unique area of quantum mechanics. A comprehensive approach for using classical mechanics to do quantum mechanics More than two hundred figures to assist intuition Emphasis on semiclassical Green function and wave packet perspective, as well as tunneling and spectroscopy Chapters include quantum mechanics of classically chaotic systems, quantum scarring, and other modern dynamical topics

Imparts a deeper understanding of symmetry principles applied to atomic and molecular dynamics and spectroscopy. Exposes the most powerful mathematical methods without sacrificing physical comprehension. Contains a thorough treatment of group representation theory and applications using projection algebra and subgroup chains. Features extensive graphics and visual aids for wave mechanics and operator algebra.

An introduction to the rapidly evolving methodology of electronic excited states For academic researchers, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, Quantum Chemistry and Dynamics of Excited States: Methods and Applications reports the most updated and accurate theoretical techniques to treat electronic excited states. From methods to deal with stationary calculations through time-dependent simulations of molecular systems, this book serves as a guide for beginners in the field and knowledge seekers alike. Taking into account the most recent theory developments and representative applications, it also covers the often-overlooked gap between theoretical and computational chemistry. An excellent reference for both researchers and students, Excited States provides essential knowledge on quantum chemistry, an in-depth overview of the latest developments, and theoretical techniques around the properties and nonadiabatic dynamics of chemical systems. Readers will learn: ● Essential theoretical techniques to describe the properties and dynamics of chemical systems ● Electronic Structure methods for stationary calculations ● Methods for electronic excited states from both a quantum chemical and time-dependent point of view ● A breakdown of the most recent developments in the past 30 years For those searching for a better understanding of excited states as they relate to chemistry, biochemistry, industrial chemistry, and beyond, Quantum Chemistry and Dynamics of Excited States provides a solid education in the necessary foundations and important theories of excited states in photochemistry and ultrafast phenomena.

Molecular Spectroscopy and Quantum Dynamics, an exciting new work edited by Professors Martin Quack and Roberto Marquardt, contains comprehensive information on the current state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods and techniques used to unravel ultra-fast phenomena in atoms, molecules and condensed matter, along with future perspectives on the field. Contains new insights into the quantum dynamics and spectroscopy of electronic and nuclear motion Presents the most recent developments in the detection and interpretation of ultra-fast phenomena Includes a discussion of the importance of these phenomena for the understanding of chemical reaction dynamics and kinetics in relation to molecular spectra and structure

This textbook provides an overview of the basics of ultrafast molecular spectroscopy starting from time-dependent quantum mechanical perturbation theory in Hilbert space. It emphasizes the dynamics of nuclear and electronic motion, initiated and monitored by femtosecond laser pulses, which underlie the generation of nonlinear optical signals and inform their interpretation. Topics include short-pulse electronic absorption, the molecular adiabatic approximation, transient-absorption spectroscopy, vibrational adiabaticity during conformational change, femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy, multi-dimensional electronic spectroscopy and wave-packet interferometry, and two-dimensional wave-packet interferometry of electronic excitation-transfer systems. The treatment is based on time-dependent quantum mechanics as it is presented in graduate-level quantum mechanics courses. It is designed to be accessible to beginning practitioners of ultrafast spectroscopy and is meant to serve as a bridge to more advanced treatises and research publications. Numerous exercises are embedded in the text to explore and expand upon the physical ideas encountered in this important research field.

This book is written for graduate students just beginning research, for theorists curious about what experimentalists actually can and do measure, and for experimentalists bewildered by theory. It is a guide for potential users of spectroscopic data, and uses language and concepts that bridge the frequency-and time-domain spectroscopic communities. Key topics, concepts, and techniques include: the assignment of simple spectra, basic experimental techniques, definition of Born-Oppenheimer and angular momentum basis sets and the associated spectroscopic energy level patterns (Hund's cases), construction of effective Hamiltonian matrices to represent both spectra and dynamics, terms neglected in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation (situations intermediate between Hund's cases, spectroscopic perturbations), nonlinear least squares fitting, calculation and interpretation of coupling terms, semi-classical (WKB) approximation, transition intensities and interference effects, direct photofragmentation (dissociation and ionization) and indirect photofragmentation (predissociation and autoionization) processes, visualization of intramolecular dynamics, quantum beats and wavepackets, treatment of decaying quasi-eigenstates using a complex Heff model, and concluding with some examples of polyatomic molecule dynamics. Students will discover that there is a fascinating world of cause-and-effect localized dynamics concealed beyond the reduction of spectra to archival molecular constants and the exact ab initio computation of molecular properties. Professional spectroscopists, kinetics, ab initio theorists will appreciate the practical, simplified-model, and rigorous theoretical approaches discussed in this book. A fundamental reference for all spectra of small, gas-phase molecules It is the most up-to-date and comprehensive book on the electronic spectroscopy and dynamics of diatomic molecules The authors pioneered the development of many of the experimental methods, concepts, models, and computational schemes described in this book