Communication: Quantum Zeno-based control mechanism for molecular fragmentation.

C Sanz-Sanz1, A S Sanz, T González-Lezana

  • 1Instituto de Física Fundamental-CSIC, Serrano 123, 28006 Madrid, Spain.

Summary

Quantum Zeno effect controls molecular fragmentation. Rapid vibrational dissociation slows, enhancing slow electronic double fragmentation by orders of magnitude in Ne-Br2 complexes.

Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview01:20

Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview

The ionization of a molecule into a molecular ion inside the mass spectrometer causes instability in the molecule's structure due to the loss of an electron. This eventually leads to the fragmentation or breaking of some bonds in the molecule. The fragmentation occurs predominantly at specific bonds to yield relatively stable fragments.
One type of fragmentation pattern is the cleavage of a single bond in the molecular ion. The cleavage leads to a radical and a cation. The cleavage can occur at...
Molecular Orbital Theory I02:35

Molecular Orbital Theory I

Overview of Molecular Orbital Theory
Mass Spectrometry: Alkene Fragmentation00:59

Mass Spectrometry: Alkene Fragmentation

Alkenes lose one electron from the unsaturated π bond upon ionization and form stable molecular ions. Further fragmentation of alkenes occurs through three different reaction pathways. The most prominent fragmentation is the cleavage at the allylic position. The resultant allylic carbocation is resonance stabilized. In the mass spectra of terminal alkenes, this fragment appears at a mass-to-charge ratio of 41. In the internal alkenes, where there are two choices of allylic cleavage, the...
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission01:14

Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission

Molecules possess discrete energy levels called quantum states. Unlike atoms, which have simpler energy levels, molecules possess additional rotational and vibrational energy levels. Each energy level is separated by an energy gap, with the gaps between adjacent electronic, vibrational, and rotational levels varying significantly. The three types of energy levels in a diatomic molecule are shown in Figure 1.
Mass Spectrometry: Cycloalkene Fragmentation00:54

Mass Spectrometry: Cycloalkene Fragmentation

The molecular ions of cycloalkenes undergo fragmentation via a retro-Diels–Alder reaction.
Radical Reactivity: Overview01:11

Radical Reactivity: Overview

Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired molecule. These three...