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In this unique illustrated book, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, senior visiting scholars, and staff describe their personal experiences in working with the late Prof. Ahmed H. Zewail at Caltech. Their reminiscences provide snapshots of their rich interactions, reflecting the great scientific achievements, as well as the human and humorous sides of Ahmed H. Zewail.The contributors tell us their stories covering a period of forty years, beginning from the time of Zewail's arrival at Caltech in 1976. Some of them cover the time when Zewail was starting his pioneering work on femtochemistry at the end of 80's, while others relate events long after he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1999) and had embarked on a new career in ultrafast electron imaging. The aims and scope of this book is to provide both scientists and non-scientists descriptions of the experiences of scientists in the early or mature stages of their careers when interacting with one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century, from developing the field of femtochemistry to pioneering ultrafast electron diffraction and imaging technology. The personal dimension of Zewail's leadership is reflected in all the contributions, and highlighted by special tributes from two of his children.The scientific and anecdotal stories recounted in the book give a rare view of experiences in shaping science. The reader will get firsthand accounts of how a Nobel Prize winner interacted daily with his co-workers to develop the laser-based science and technology for which he was internationally recognized. The recounted experiences may serve as a basis for scientists developing their own research, tutoring students, and supervising postdoctoral researchers.

Reaction Rate Theory and Rare Events bridges the historical gap between these subjects because the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of scientific research often requires an understanding of both reaction rate theory and the theory of other rare events. The book discusses collision theory, transition state theory, RRKM theory, catalysis, diffusion limited kinetics, mean first passage times, Kramers theory, Grote-Hynes theory, transition path theory, non-adiabatic reactions, electron transfer, and topics from reaction network analysis. It is an essential reference for students, professors and scientists who use reaction rate theory or the theory of rare events. In addition, the book discusses transition state search algorithms, tunneling corrections, transmission coefficients, microkinetic models, kinetic Monte Carlo, transition path sampling, and importance sampling methods. The unified treatment in this book explains why chemical reactions and other rare events, while having many common theoretical foundations, often require very different computational modeling strategies. - Offers an integrated approach to all simulation theories and reaction network analysis, a unique approach not found elsewhere - Gives algorithms in pseudocode for using molecular simulation and computational chemistry methods in studies of rare events - Uses graphics and explicit examples to explain concepts - Includes problem sets developed and tested in a course range from pen-and-paper theoretical problems, to computational exercises

The last decade has witnessed significant advances in the ability to generate short light pulses throughout the optical spectrum. These developments have had a tremendous impact on the field of chemical dynamics. Fundamental questions concerning chemical reactions, once thought to be unaddressable, are now easily studied in real-time experiments. Ultrafast spectroscopies are currently being used to study a variety of fundamental chemical phenomena. This book focuses on some of the experimental and associated theoretical studies of reactions in clusters, liquid and solid media. Many of the advances in our understanding of the fundamental details of chemical reactivity result from the interplay of experiment and theory. This theme is present in many of the chapters, indicating the pervasiveness of a combined approach for eludicating molecular models of chemical reactions. With parallel developments in computer simulation, complex chemical sys­ tems are being studied at a molecular level. The discussions presented in this book recount many areas at the forefront of'ultrafast chemistry'. They serve the purpose of both bringing the expert up to date with the work being done in many laboratories as well as introducing those not directly involved in this field to the diverse set of problems that can be studied. I hope that this book conveys the excitement that both I and the other authors in this volume feel about the field of ultrafast chemistry. John D. Simon 1993 1.D. Simon (ed.), Ultrafast Dynamics of Chemical Systems, vii.

This series provides the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Volume 145 in the series continues to report recent advances with significant, up-to-date chapters by internationally recognized researchers.

As computing power increases, a growing number of macroscopic phenomena are modeled at the molecular level. Consequently, new requirements are generated for the understanding of molecular dynamics in exotic conditions.This book illustrates the importance of detailed chemical dynamics and the role it plays in the phenomenology of a number of extreme environments. Each chapter addresses one or more extreme environments, outlines the associated chemical mechanisms of relevance, and then covers the leading edge science that elucidates the chemical coupling. The chapters exhibit a balance between theory and experiment, gas phase, solid state, and surface dynamics, and geophysical and technical environments.

The passage of a system from one minimum energy state to another via a potential energy barrier provides a model for the microscopic description of a wide range of physical, chemical and biological phenomena. Examples include diffusion of atoms in solids or on surfaces, flux transitions in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), isomerization reactions in solution, electron transfer processes, and ligand binding in proteins. In general, both tunneling and thermally activated barrier crossing may be involved in determining the rate. This book surveys key experiments chosen from physics, chemistry and biology, and describes theoretical methods appropriate for both classical and quantum barrier crossing. A major feature of the book is the attempt to integrate the experimental and theoretical work in one volume.

Principles of Chemical Kinetics is devoted to the principles and applications of chemical kinetics. The phenomenology and commonly used theories of chemical kinetics are presented in a critical manner, with particular emphasis on collision dynamics. How and what mechanistic information can be obtained from various experimental approaches is stressed throughout this book. Comprised of nine chapters, this text opens with an overview of reaction rates and their empirical analysis, along with theories of chemical kinetics. The following chapters consider reactions and unimolecular decompositions in the gas phase; chemical reactions in molecular beams; and energy transfer and partitioning in chemical reactions. Kinetics in liquid solutions and fast reactions in liquids are also described. The final chapter looks at the kinetics of enzymes, with particular reference to steady state and transient state kinetics, the pH and temperature dependence of kinetic parameters, and the mechanism underlying enzymatic action. This monograph is intended for students with a general college background in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and with a typical undergraduate course in physical chemistry.