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Related Concept Videos

Phase Transitions02:31

Phase Transitions

Whether solid, liquid, or gas, a substance's state depends on the order and arrangement of its particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). Particles in the solid pack closely together, generally in a pattern. The particles vibrate about their fixed positions but do not move or squeeze past their neighbors. In liquids, although the particles are closely spaced, they are randomly arranged. The position of the particles are not fixed—that is, they are free to move past their neighbors to occupy...
Phase Transitions01:21

Phase Transitions

A phase transition is the process in which a substance changes from one state of matter to another, like from a solid to a liquid, liquid to gas, or vice versa, at a specific temperature and under given pressure conditions. This change is spontaneous and is affected by alterations in temperature and pressure. These parameters impact the strength of the forces between molecules (intermolecular forces) in the substance.During a phase transition, both the initial and final phases of the substance...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions01:16

UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions

In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
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Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
Deactivation Processes: Jablonski Diagram01:25

Deactivation Processes: Jablonski Diagram

Luminescence, the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed energy, is a process that involves the interaction of molecules with light. The energy-level diagram, or Jablonski diagram, is a graphical representation of these interactions, illustrating the various states and transitions a molecule can undergo. In a typical Jablonski diagram, the lowest horizontal line represents the ground-state energy of the molecule, which is usually a singlet state. This state represents the energies...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Separation of Spinach Thylakoid Protein Complexes by Native Green Gel Electrophoresis and Band Characterization using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting
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Photoinduced phase transitions.

K H Bennemann1

  • 1Institute for Theoretical Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany.

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|March 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Optically induced electronic excitations can trigger ultrafast phase transitions, including structural changes and nonmetal-to-metal transformations. This research explores photon-induced effects on material properties and phase dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Non-equilibrium physics
  • Materials science
  • Physical chemistry

Background:

  • Ultrafast electronic excitations can significantly influence phase transitions.
  • Examples include structural changes, nonmetal-to-metal transitions, and alterations in supercooling/supersaturation phenomena.
  • Photoinduced graphene formation and water condensation are key areas of interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the phenomenon of optically induced ultrafast electronic excitations.
  • To investigate the impact of these excitations on various phase transitions.
  • To present a unified perspective on photon-induced transitions.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating the conversion of photon energy into electronic energy through electronic excitations.

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  • Analyzing how changes in cohesive energy affect the chemical potential.
  • Considering the role of conservation laws (energy, angular momentum) in controlling transition dynamics.
  • Main Results:

    • Optically induced excitations can alter cohesive energy and chemical potential, driving phase transitions.
    • Transitions like solid/liquid can be shifted by weakening or strengthening atomic/molecular bonds.
    • These nonequilibrium transitions occur on ultrafast timescales (hundreds of femtoseconds).

    Conclusions:

    • Photon-induced transitions represent a promising area in nonequilibrium physics and phase transition dynamics.
    • Advances in laser optics facilitate the study of these phenomena.
    • A unified theoretical framework can describe diverse photoinduced phase transitions.