The theory of vibronic interactions is a new field of investigation in the physics and chemistry of molecules and crystals that goes beyond the separate descriptions of the motion of electrons and nuclei in the adiabatic approximation. A systematic treatment of the most important manifestations of nonadiabaticity (the Jahn-Teller, pseudo-Jahn-Teller and Renner effects) is given, including derivation of the vibronic Hamiltonian, proof of the Jahn-Teller theorem, determination of the adiabatic potentials of electronically degenerate and pseudodegenerate polyatomic systems, calculations of...

This book reviews recent advances in experimental and theoretical understanding of phenomena on the picosecond and femtosecond time scales. The technology and applications in this field have shown remarkable progress recently. It is now possible to produce and measure pulses much shorter than 10 fs, which is approaching the inherent limit, in the visible region. Improvements in wavelength range, power levels and other performance parameters are also reported. These high-performance light sources are being used to study ultrafast phenomena in physical, chemical and biological systems and in...

Recent improvements in the performance of light sources, i.e. reduction in pulse length and increases in wavelength range and power levels, have led to ultrafast technology becoming a basic tool in a wide variety of scientific fields. This book describes the remarkable technological improvements and results of new applications in the natural sciences and various engineering fields.

Clusters of Atoms and Molecules I is devoted to theoretical concepts and experimental techniques important in the rapidly expanding field of cluster science. Cluster properties are dicussed for clusters composed of alkali metals, semiconductors, transition metals, carbon, oxides and halides of alkali metals, rare gases, and neutral molecules. The book contains several well-integrated treatments, all prepared by experts. Each contribution starts out as simple as possible and ends with the latest results, so that the book can serve as a text for a course, an introduction into the field,...

During the last ten years an unprecedented effort has been directed towards study of the dynamics of ion collision phenomena in the gas phase, usually with a view to applications in diverse areas, ranging from fusion reactors and lasers to ionospheric and interstellar chemistry and gaseous electronics. The principal aim of this volume is to present a succinct overview of contemporary interests and trends in the field of low energy ion-electron and ion-atom (molecule) collision physics, with emphasis on fundamental aspects. Researchers and students will become acquainted, in a general and...

Recent improvements in the performance of light sources, i.e., reduction in pulse length and increases in wavelength range and power levels, have led toultrafast technology becoming a basic tool in a wide variety of scientific fields. This book presents the very latest developments in the rapidly rxpanding field of ultrashofrt lase pulses and their applications in physics, chemistry, biology, and artificial devices. It provides the most up-to-date record of current research and references in the field of ultrafast phenomena. Contents: Elementary Dynamics: Chemistry, Biology and Physics -...

Radiationless transitions comprise an important class of physical phenomena occurring in the excited states of molecules. They affect the lifetimes of the ex- cited states and govern primary photochemical and photophysical processes. Much effort has been devoted to the understanding of radiationless transi- tions. Still, owing to recent advances, the field continues to attract attention. The demand for a book on the theory of these processes naturally arises in at- tempting to comprehend a large body of literature, as the famous review article by K. F. Freed and the book by R. Englman do not...

Positron Annihilation in Chemistry gives a critical review of the chemistry-oriented positron annihilation research. The only three light particles participating in low energy physics and chemistry are the electron, positron, and positronium. Positronium (Ps) is the most important "anomalous" atom.
This volume gives the only available, critical discussion of the chemistry of the two "strange" light particles, the positron and positronium, while the excess electron has been much discussed. Many unusual phenomena in the reaction kinetics of the positron, positronium, and excess...

Soot Formation in Combustion represents an up-to-date overview. The contributions trace back to the 1991 Heidelberg symposium entitled "Mechanism and Models of Soot Formation" and have all been reedited by Prof. Bockhorn in close contact with the original authors. The book gives an easy introduction to the field for newcomers, and provides detailed treatments for the specialists. The following list of contents illustrates the topics under review:

Prefaces are usually written when a manuscript is finished. Having finished this book I can clearly see many shortcomings in it. But if I began to eliminate them I would probably write quite a different book in another two years; indeed, this has already happened once. In 1979, when I finished the first version of this book, it was much broader in scope and was to be titled "Laser Photochemistry." Corrections and additions to that unpublished manuscript gave rise to the present book with its revised title and more specific subject matter. I resolved to have it published in exactly this form,...