Seminars Archive

4 Kelvin infrared emission spectroscopy as a new technique to investigate dynamic processes at surfaces

Abstract
As the chemical bond is being formed, molecules approaching the surface become vibrationally and rotationally excited. By probing the radiative de-excitation of the adsorbate-substrate vibrations, infreared (IR) emission spectroscopy will allow us to "watch" at the adsorption process itself and provide direct information about the adsorbate-substrate potential energy surface. For this purpose a highly sensitive apparatus which incorporates a liquid helium cooled FTIR interferometer and a supersonic molecular beam was designed. This instrument is now operational and the very first thermal IR emission data will be presented.