FundMolSym

Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry (E/A/T) - FundMolSym

CourseFundamentals of Molecular Symmetry (E/A/T)
Course No.FundMolSym
CategoryTypeLanguageTeaching hoursCPSemester
ElectiveLectureEnglish24ST
Requirements:

Preparation: Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics

Form of Testing and Examination: Oral Examination

Length of Course: 1 semester

Aims of the Course: Understanding the fundamental concepts of representation theory and its application to describe the symmetry of molecules

Contents of the Course:

The lecture introduces to group theory with special emphasis on representations and their use to describe the symmetry of molecules in high-resolution spectroscopy and in molecular physics generally. The theory is accompanied by a series of "prototypical" examples Topics covered are

  • symmetry in general and symmetry of a molecule.

  • groups and point groups.

  • irreducible representations, characters.

  • vanishing integral rule

  • the Complete Nuclear Permutation-Inversion (CNPI) group.

  • the Molecular Symmetry (MS) group).

  • the molecular point group.

  • classification of molecular states: electronic, vibrational, rotational, and nuclear spin states

  • nuclear spin statistical weights

  • hyperfine structure

  • non-rigid molecules (inversion, internal rotation)



Recommended Literature:

Jensen: Script (text of powerpoint presentation files; available during the course)

P. Jensen and P. R. Bunker: The Symmetry of Molecules, in: "Encyclopedia of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry" (J. H. Moore and N. D. Spencer, Eds.), IOP Publishing, Bristol, 2001.

P. R. Bunker and Per Jensen: "Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy, 2nd Edition," NRC Research Press, Ottawa, 1998 (ISBN 0-660-17519-3).

P. R. Bunker and P. Jensen: "Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry", IOP Publishing, Bristol, 2004 (ISBN 0-7503-0941-5).



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