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Vibrational Förster transfer in ice Ih
1FOM-institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.timmer@amolf.nl
Förster energy transfer in water (H2O) ice was studied. Vibrational relaxation times decreased with increasing H2O concentration due to energy transfer to neighboring O-H groups.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Materials Science
Background:
- Understanding vibrational dynamics in ice is crucial for atmospheric and astrophysical processes.
- Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) plays a role in energy dissipation in condensed phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Förster energy transfer between O-H vibrations in H2O/D2O ice Ih.
- To determine the influence of H2O concentration on vibrational relaxation times and anisotropy.
Main Methods:
- Femtosecond, two-color, mid-infrared pump-probe spectroscopy was employed.
- Studies were conducted on H2O/D2O ice mixtures with varying H2O concentrations.
Main Results:
- Vibrational relaxation time decreased from 480 fs (dilute HDO in D2O) to 300 fs (pure H2O ice).
- Anisotropy decay showed an initial 140 fs decrease, reaching a concentration-dependent level.
- Förster energy transfer was observed to the next-nearest six O-H groups, with no transfer beyond.
Conclusions:
- Coupling to O-H stretch modes significantly impacts vibrational relaxation in water ice.
- Limited rotational freedom of water molecules influences anisotropy decay.
- Förster energy transfer is a short-range phenomenon in H2O ice, limited to nearest neighbors.
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