Shashank Pathak

Abstract Photoinduced ring-opening of cyclic organic molecules is fundamental to many photochemical processes, from vitamin D biosynthesis to molecular optical switching. Despite advances in several ultrafast techniques, direct and unambiguous imaging of the ultrafast nuclear motion is still a major challenge. As a consequence, reaction mechanisms remain controversial even for extensively studied prototypical systems.

Abstract The light-induced ultrafast switching between molecular isomers norbornadiene and quadricyclane can reversibly store and release a substantial amount of chemical energy. Prior work observed signatures of ultrafast molecular dynamics in both isomers upon ultraviolet excitation but could not follow the electronic relaxation all the way back to the ground state experimentally.

Download Hi-Res ImageDownload to MS-PowerPointCite This:J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, XXXX, XXX RETURN TO ARTICLES ASAPPREVArticleNEXT Joao Pedro Figueira Nunes University of Nebraska−Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States , , Shashank Pathak J.R. Macdonald Laboratory, Physics Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States , Andrew R.