Ultrafast dynamics of interfacial water molecules

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Sterrer
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 32480725

In this project, the dynamics of water molecules at the water-air interface will be studied, using surface-specific ultra-fast vibrational spectroscopy. The static structure of interfacial water has been subject of intense research over the past decades, with the advent of surface-specific spectroscopic (2nd order) non-linear optical techniques. For bulk water, similar laser-based techniques have developed to such a degree of sophistication that the dynamics of water molecules can be observed in real-time: the rotational and diffusional motion of water molecules has been elucidated in much detail, and these experiments have contributed greatly to our understanding of this important liquid. These techniques will be extended here to probe interfacial water, which will allow probing the dynamics of the first few monolayers of water for the first time.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Host: Professor Dr. Mischa Bonn