Dynamics of vibrational excitation in molecule-surface interactions

Abstract

Dynamical processes of molecules interacting with solid surfaces are generally determined by geometrical structures of adiabatic potential energy surfaces, i.e., adiabatic effects, and by energy exchange processes between molecules and solid surfaces, i.e., non-adiabatic effects. In our view, molecular vibration is one of degrees of freedom particularly appropriate for investigations on origins of significant features of adiabatic and non-adiabatic effects on dynamical processes of molecules interacting with solid surfaces. From such a standpoint, a review is given of our present understanding of vibrational dynamics in molecule-surface interactions. It is divided into two parts, on the whole. In the first half, we concentrate on vibrational excitation of molecular beams interacting with solid surfaces in dynamical processes such as scattering, adsorption and desorption. In the second half, we concentrate on vibrational excitation of molecules adsorbing on metal surfaces.