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'Molecular Gels: Materials with Self-Assembled Fibrillar Networks'is a comprehensive treatise on gelators, especially low molecular-mass gelators and the properties of their gels. The structures and modes of formation of the self-assembled fibrillar networks (SAFINs) that immobilize the liquid components of the gels are discussed experimentally and theoretically. The spectroscopic, rheological, and structural features of the different classes of low molecular-mass gelators are also presented. Many examples of the application of the principal analytical techniques for investigation of molecular gels (including SANS, SAXS, WAXS, UV-vis absorption, fluorescence and CD spectroscopies, scanning electron, transmission electron and optical microscopies, and molecular modeling) are presented didactically and in-depth, as are several of the theories of the stages of aggregation of individual low molecular-mass gelator molecules leading to SAFINs. Several actual and potential applications of molecular gels in disparate fields (from silicate replication of nanostructures to art conservation) are described. Special emphasis is placed on perspectives for future developments. This book is an invaluable resource for researchers and practitioners either already researching self-assembly and soft matter or new to the area. Those who will find the book useful include chemists, engineers, spectroscopists, physicists, biologists, theoreticians, and materials scientists.

Spontaneous pattern formation in nonlinear dissipative systems far from equilibrium is a paradigmatic case of emergent behaviour associated with complex systems. It is encountered in a great variety of settings, both in nature and technology, and has numerous applications ranging from nonlinear optics through solid and fluid mechanics, physical chemistry and chemical engineering to biology. Nature creates its variety of forms through spontaneous pattern formation and self-assembly, and this strategy is likely to be imitated by future biomorphic technologies. This book is a first-hand account by one of the leading players in this field, which gives in-depth descriptions of analytical methods elucidating the complex evolution of nonlinear dissipative systems, and brings the reader to the forefront of current research. The introductory chapter on the theory of dynamical systems is written with a view to applications of its powerful methods to spatial and spatio-temporal patterns. It is followed by two chapters treating moving interfaces, based largely on reaction-diffusion and phase-separating systems. The following two chapters on amplitude equations for patterns and waves describe universal phenomena generated by representative equations which can be derived for a variety of non-equilibrium systems originating in fluid mechanics, physical chemistry or nonlinear optics. This book addresses graduate students and non-specialists from the many related areas of applied mathematics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering and biology, as well as the seasoned scientist in search of a modern source of reference.

This volume presents the Proceedings of the Institute “New Development in Optics and Related Fields,” held in Erice, Sicily, Italy, from the 6th to the 21st of June, 2005. This meeting was organized by the International School of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy of the “Ettore Majorana” Center for Scientific Culture. The purpose of this Institute was to provide a comprehensive and coherent treatment of the new techniques and contemporary developments in optics and related fields. Several lectures of the course addressed directly the technologies required for the detection and identification of chemical and biological threats; other lectures considered the possible applications of new techniques and materials to the detection and identification of such threats. Each lecturer developed a coherent section of the program starting at a somewhat fundamental level and ultimately reaching the frontier of knowledge in the field in a systematic and didactic fashion. The formal lectures were complemented and illustrated by additional seminars and discussions. The course was addressed to workers in spectrosco- related fields from universities, laboratories and industries. Senior scientists were encouraged to participate. The Institute provided the participants with an opportunity to present their research work in the form of short seminars or posters. The secretary of the course was Ottavio Forte.

Quantum Computation in Solid State Systems discusses experimental implementation of quantum computing for information processing devices; in particular observations of quantum behavior in several solid state systems are presented. The complementary theoretical contributions provide models of minimizing decoherence in the different systems. Most recent theoretical and experimental results on macroscopic quantum coherence of mesoscopic systems, as well as the realization of solid-state qubits and quantum gates are discussed. Particular attention is given to coherence effects in Josephson devices. Other solid state systems---including quantum dots, optical, ion, and spin devices---are also discussed.

Few books cover experimental and theoretical methods to characterize decomposition, combustion and detonation of energetic materials. This volume, by internationally known and major contributors to the field, is unique because it summarizes the most important recent work, what we know with confidence, and what main areas remain to be investigated. Most chapters comprise summaries of work spanning decades and contain expert commentary available nowhere else. Although energetic materials are its focus, this book provides a guide to modern methods for investigations of condensed and gas-phase reactions. Although these energetic reactions are complex and difficult to study, the work discussed here provides readers with a substantial understanding of the behavior of materials now in use, and a predictive capability for the development of new materials based on target properties.

Dynamics of Surfactant Self-Assemblies explains the dynamics of micellar equilibria, tracking surfactant exchange, and micelle formation/breakdown processes. Highlighting the structural similarities of amphiphilic block copolymers to surfactants, this volume elucidates the dynamics of more complex self-assemblies that surfactants and amphiphilic bl

This series provides the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Volume 130 in the series continues to report recent advances with significant, up-to-date chapters by internationally recognized researchers.

This comprehensive survey on Excimer Lasers investigates the current range of the technology, applications and devices of this commonly used laser source, as well as the future of new technologies, such as F2 laser technology. Additional chapters on optics, devices and laser systems complete this compact handbook. A must read for laser technology students, process application researchers, engineers or anyone interested in excimer laser technology. An effective and understandable introduction to the current and future status of excimer laser technology.

This series provides the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Volume 130 in the series continues to report recent advances with significant, up-to-date chapters by internationally recognized researchers.

Essentials of Computational Chemistry provides a balanced introduction to this dynamic subject. Suitable for both experimentalists and theorists, a wide range of samples and applications are included drawn from all key areas. The book carefully leads the reader thorough the necessary equations providing information explanations and reasoning where necessary and firmly placing each equation in context.Christopher Cramer, Professor of Computational Chemistry Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota,Minneapolis, USA

This book reflects the heights of knowledge of ultrafast chemical processes attained in these early years of the 21st century : the latest research in femtosecond and picosecond molecular processes in Chemistry and Biology, carried out around the world, is described here in more than 110 articles. The results were presented and discussed at the VIth International Conference on Femtochemistry, in Paris, France, from July 6 to July 10, 2003. The articles published here were reviewed by referees selected from specialists in the Femtochemistry community, guaranteeing a collective responsability for the quality of the research reported in the next 564 pages. Femtochemistry is an ever-growing field, where new research areas are constantly opening up, and one which both stimulates and accompanies the development of ultrafast technologies. The increasing interest in femtobiology and chemistry at the frontier with biology is an obvious indicator of the present impact of life sciences in our society. New materials and reactions at surfaces are also some of the relatively new topics that promise rapid developments. New methodologies and technologies for probing and following in real time molecular dynamical phenomena have appeared within the last ten years or so. These methods, based on multidimensional IR spectroscopies, ultrafast X-ray and electron diffraction techniques, are well represented in this book. Of ever-improving performance, they are now applied to the characterization of structural dynamics of an increasing number of chemical and biological systems.This book reports the state of research in Femtochemistry and Femtobiology presented at Paris, at the Maison de la Chimie, in July 2003, representing the tenth anniversary of the conference.• Overview of the most recent research on ultrafast events• Application of new methodologies on chemical and biological systems• Contributions by key players in the field

In view of the rapid growth in both experimental and theoretical studies of multiphoton processes and multiphoton spectroscopy of atoms, ions and molecules in chemistry, physics, biology, material sciences, etc., it is desirable to publish an Advanced Series that contains review papers readable not only by active researchers in these areas, but also by those who are not experts in the field but who intend to enter the field. The present series attempts to serve this purpose. Each review article is written in a self-contained manner by the experts in the area so that the readers can grasp the knowledge in the area without too much preparation.The topics covered in this volume include “Ultrafast Photochemical Dynamics in Solution Studied by Femtosecond Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Involvement of Highly Excited States”, “Spectral Selective Studies of Molecular Doped Solids and Applications”, “From Multiphoton to Tunnel Ionization”, “Cluster Dynamics in Intense Laser Fields”, and “Molecular Theory of Sum-Frequency Generation and its Application to Study Molecular Chirality”. It is hoped that the collection of topics in this volume will be useful not only to active researchers but also to other scientists in biology, chemistry, materials science and physics.This book has been selected for coverage in:• CC / Physical, Chemical & Earth Sciences• Index to Scientific Book Contents® (ISBC)

While much of traditional surface science has been concerned with equilibrium properties and simple kinetics, there is a growing effort in the area of dynamical processes at surfaces. This book draws together a series of chapters written by acknowledged experts in the field, which describe progress in a range of specific topics. The emphasis is on chemical reaction dynamics, including both theoretical and experimental approaches and covering work on low index single crystal surfaces, on stepped surfaces and on supported metal clusters. Other processes, such as surface diffusion are also addressed. Further chapters discuss dynamical processes in electronically-induced desorption, and in surface diffusion on semiconductors and metals.- Presents considerable advances in surface science field - Collection of expert reviews in surface dynamics

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.

This book is meant to provide a window on the rapidly growing body of theoretical studies of condensed phase chemistry. A brief perusal of physical chemistry journals in the early to mid 1980's will find a large number of theor- ical papers devoted to 3-body gas phase chemical reaction dynamics. The recent history of theoretical chemistry has seen an explosion of progress in the devel- ment of methods to study similar properties of systems with Avogadro's number of particles. While the physical properties of condensed phase systems have long been principle targets of statistical mechanics, microscopic dynamic theories that start from detailed interaction potentials and build to first principles predictions of properties are now maturing at an extraordinary rate. The techniques in use range from classical studies of new Generalized Langevin Equations, semicl- sical studies for non-adiabatic chemical reactions in condensed phase, mixed quantum classical studies of biological systems, to fully quantum studies of m- els of condensed phase environments. These techniques have become sufficiently sophisticated, that theoretical prediction of behavior in actual condensed phase environments is now possible. and in some cases, theory is driving development in experiment. The authors and chapters in this book have been chosen to represent a wide variety in the current approaches to the theoretical chemistry of condensed phase systems. I have attempted a number of groupings of the chapters, but the - versity of the work always seems to frustrate entirely consistent grouping.

The Jahn-Teller effect is a consequence of the electron-phonon coupling in high symmetry systems. Its influence covers a wide range of physical and chemical properties and systems. As the biannual Jahn-Teller symposia bring together experimental and theoretical physicists and chemists from all over the world, this proceedings volume reports the latest scientific news on the effect.The contents of the volume range from the general aspects to some special topics, such as ultrafast processes, fullerenes, point defects, cooperative phenomena, HTSC and oxide properties. Some contributions are dedicated to the memory of Mary O'Brien, a globally honored specialist in the theory of the Jahn-Teller effect. Throughout personal reminiscences of O'Brien's enormous contributions to the subject, the recent history of the effect is summarized.

This book highlights the latest experimental and theoretical developments in the field of femtochemistry, with papers describing the physics and chemistry of ultrafast processes in small molecules, complex molecular systems, clusters, biological systems, solids, matrices, liquids and at surfaces and interfaces. The recent developments in frequency-domain studies of femtodynamics are also presented. In addition, the latest achievements in femtosecond control of chemical reactions are presented, together with the newest techniques in real-time probing of reactions such as ultrafast x-ray or electron diffraction. The papers are rich in references giving a clearcut state-of-the-art of the topics being discussed. The book should be a valuable tool to all persons in the field and to young scientists.Contributors include: A H Zewail, J Jortner, V S Letokhov, J Manz, R S Berry, C Wittig, K B Eisenthal, A W Castleman Jr., J T Hynes, W H Gadzuk, R Kosloff, S Mukamel, K R Wilson; G Fleming, D Wiersma, K Yoshihara, V Sundström, A Apkarian, N Scherer, A Myers, R Schinke, J R Huber, R B Gerber, G Gerber and P M Champion.

This book contains papers which examine fundamental aspects of photoinduced electron transfer reactions, an area in which a number of breakthroughs have recently occurred. The book is divided into four parts.Parts I and II are mainly concerned with the fundamental aspects of the inter- and intra-molecular charge transfer, electron transfer and related phenomena such as solvent effects, solvation dynamics, energy gap dependences and radical pair dynamics. Part III is concerned with electron transfer and energy transfer phenomena in polymers, films, crystals, and other confined systems. In Part IV, the mechanisms of the energy and electron transfer in biological photosynthetic systems, proteins and reaction center systems are discussed.

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.

This book covers important new developments of the last five years in the area of cluster chemistry, presenting an excellent view of the successes and shortcomings of both current state-of-the-art theory and experiment. Each chapter, contributed by a leading expert, places heavy emphasis on theory without which the detailed analysis of the spectroscopic and kinetic results would be compromised. The cluster reactions reviewed in this work include electron and proton transfer reactions, hot atom reactions, vibrational predissociation, radical reactions, and ionic reactions. Some of the theories applied throughout the text are product state distribution determinations, state-to-state dynamical information, and access to the transition stage of the reaction. The discussions serve as a benchmark of how far the field has come since the mid 1980's and will be a good update for students and researchers interested in this area of physical chemistry.

The Advances in Chemical Physics series provides the chemical physics and physical chemistry fields with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Filled with cutting-edge research reported in a cohesive manner not found elsewhere in the literature, each volume of the Advances in Chemical Physics series serves as the perfect supplement to any advanced graduate class devoted to the study of chemical physics.

The Advances in Chemical Physics series provides the chemical physics and physical chemistry fields with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Filled with cutting-edge research reported in a cohesive manner not found elsewhere in the literature, each volume of the Advances in Chemical Physics series serves as the perfect supplement to any advanced graduate class devoted to the study of chemical physics.

Radiationless Transitions is a critical discussion of research studies on the theory and experiments in radiationless transitions. This book is composed of nine chapters, and begins with discussions on the theory and experiment of photophysical processes of single vibronic levels and/or single rovibronic levels. The subsequent chapters deal with the spectroscopic investigations of intramolecular vibrational relaxation; the dynamics of molecular excitation by light; and the photophysical processes of small molecules in condensed phase. The discussions then shift to the high pressure effects on molecular luminescence and the internal conversion involving localized excitations, presenting one qualitative and one quantitative example, as well as the intersystem crossing with localized excitations. A chapter explores the energy transfer processes that occur after a molecule in solution is excited by light, with an emphasis on solid solutions in which the large amplitude molecular motion is largely quenched. This chapter also looks into the liquid solutions in which the molecules can translate and rotate under the influence of fluctuating forces from the liquid. The concluding chapter focuses on ultrafast processes. Researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology will benefit from this book.

This book is the second in a series of scientific textbooks designed to cover advances in selected research fields from a basic and general viewpoint, so that only limited knowledge is required to understand the significance of recent developments. Further assistance for the non-specialist is provided by the summary of abstracts in Part 2, which includes many of the major papers published in the research field. Crystal Growth of Semiconductor Materials has been the subject of numerous books and reviews and the fundamental principles are now well-established. We are concerned chiefly with the deposition of atoms onto a suitable surface - crystal growth - and the generation of faults in the atomic structure during growth and subsequent cooling to room temperature - crystal defect structure. In this book I have attempted to show that whilst the fundamentals of these processes are relatively simple, the complexities of the interactions involved and the individuality of different materials systems and growth processes have ensured that experimentally verifiable predictions from scientific principles have met with only limited success - good crystal growth remains an art. However, recent advances, which include the reduction of growth temperatures, the reduction or elimination of reactant transport variables and the use of better-controlled energy sources to promote specific reactions, are leading to simplified growth systems.

This volume in the series brings together reknowned experts in the field to present the reader with an account of the latest developments in quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, and the teaching of computational chemistry. There are so many developments in the field of computational chemistry that it is difficult to keep track of them. The series was established to review the high volume of developments in the field. Rather than create a traditional article, each author approaches a topic to enable the reader to understand and solve problems and locate key references quickly. Each article has tutorial value. An updated compendium of software for molecular modeling appears as an appendix as in previous volumes. To the editors'knowledge, this is the most complete listing of sources of software for computational chemistry anywhere.

The Advances in Chemical Physics series provides the chemical physics and physical chemistry fields with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Filled with cutting-edge research reported in a cohesive manner not found elsewhere in the literature, each volume of the Advances in Chemical Physics series serves as the perfect supplement to any advanced graduate class devoted to the study of chemical physics.

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.

The proceedings discuss the theoretical methods used to describe a chemical system which is far from the equilibrium state, and this is illustrated by selected applications. Special attention is paid to very fast chemical reactions and systems in which external or internal noise is present. In particular, the following topics are covered:-the generalized Boltzmann/ Enskog equation for nonequilibrium systems,-stochastic methods for description of noise in chemical systems,-numerical simulations of systems far from equilibrium.

This volume describes many of the key practical theoretical techniques that have been developed to treat chemical dynamics problems in many-atom systems. It contains thorough treatments of fundamental theory and prescriptions for performing computations. The selection of methods, ranging from gas phase bimolecular reactions to complex processes in condensed phases, reflects the breadth of the field.The book is an excellent reference for proven and accepted methods as well as for theoretical approaches that are still being developed. It is appropriate for graduate students and other “novices” who wish to begin working in chemical dynamics as well as active researchers who wish to acquire a wider knowledge of the field.

The results of a special research project carried out for'Molecular Approaches to Non-equilibrium Process in Solution'were presented during The 42nd Yamada Conference on'Structure, Fluctuation and Relaxation in Solution'which was held from 11-15 December, 1994. The following topics were discussed at the conference:1. Solvation Dynamics 2. Relaxation, Fluctuation and Reaction Dynamics 3. Dynamic Structure and Reaction Mechanisms in Solutions. These topics were the main concern of this conference.

This book consists of two parts, theory and applications. Part I introduces the kinetic theory of gases with relevance to molecular energies and intermolecular forces. Part II focuses on how these theories are used to explain real techniques and phenomena involving gases. By stressing the practical implications, the book explains the theory of gas dynamics in a highly readable and comprehensive manner.