Questions about Franck-Condon principle

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In summary, the Franck Condon principle states that a molecule can have both electronic and vibrational transitions when it absorbs a photon of the appropriate energy. It is more likely to have a vibrational transition between states with similar wavefunctions. In order for a transition to occur between the ##\nu=0## state and ##\nu'=5## state, the absorbed photon must have at least the energy separating ##\nu''=0## and ##\nu'=6##. The "blue arrow transition" in the image is more likely to happen but requires a photon with equal or greater energy. It is not mandatory for the molecule to have a vibrational transition when the energy of the incoming photon is enough for the transition, it
  • #1
Salmone
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I have some questions on Franck Condon principle:

1. The principle states that if a molecule absorbs a photon of the appropriate energy, we could have both electronic and vibrational transitions and that is more likely to have a vibrational transition between states that have two "similar" wavefunctions. The first question is:
It is ok to me that it is more likely to have a vibrational transition between states that have two "similar" wavefunctions but of course if we see a transition between ##\nu=0## state and ##\nu'=5## state means that the absorbed photon had at least the energy separating ##\nu''=0## and ##\nu'=6##, right? With reference to the image, the "blue arrow transition" is more lilely to happen but we need a photon with the right energy, more or equal to the "lenght" of the arrow, right?

2. If the energy of the incoming photon is enough for that transition, is it mandatory for the molecule to also have a vibrational transition or it can jump just from electronic G.S. to electronic first excited state remaining on the same vibrational level?

3. Again with reference to the image, the potential drawn higher refers to an excited electronic state, if we are talking about molecules, what do we precisely mean by that? If just one electron of the electronic clouds is excited by a photon, the new arrangement of the molecule need to be drawn higher than the ground state in which all electrons were in their ground states? And, if two photons are excited, the new potential must be drawn as a different one much higher? Same if three electrons are excited or two electrons are excited to second excited state or third excited state?

800px-Franck_Condon_Diagram.svg.png
 
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  • #2
Doubts meaning you do not think it works like that or that you don't understand that principle?
 
  • #3
malawi_glenn said:
Doubts meaning you do not think it works like that or that you don't understand that principle?
I don't understand the points I've written
 
  • #4
Salmone said:
I don't understand the points I've written
You have questions. You should write questions instead of 'doubts'.
 

1. What is the Franck-Condon principle?

The Franck-Condon principle is a fundamental principle in molecular spectroscopy that describes the probability of electronic transitions between different energy levels of a molecule. It states that during a transition, the nuclear coordinates of the molecule remain fixed, resulting in a vertical transition on an energy level diagram.

2. How does the Franck-Condon principle relate to vibrational and electronic transitions?

The Franck-Condon principle explains the relative intensities of vibrational and electronic transitions in a molecule. It states that electronic transitions occur more readily than vibrational transitions, as the nuclear coordinates of the molecule remain fixed during electronic transitions, while they change during vibrational transitions.

3. What factors influence the Franck-Condon factors?

The Franck-Condon factors are influenced by several factors, including the energy difference between the initial and final electronic states, the overlap of the vibrational wavefunctions of the initial and final states, and the geometry of the molecule.

4. How is the Franck-Condon principle used in spectroscopy?

The Franck-Condon principle is used in spectroscopy to interpret the intensities and shapes of vibrational and electronic transitions in a molecule. It allows scientists to determine the energy levels and geometry of a molecule by analyzing its electronic and vibrational spectra.

5. What are some applications of the Franck-Condon principle?

The Franck-Condon principle has many applications in fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology. It is used in the study of molecular structure and dynamics, as well as in the development of new materials and technologies, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solar cells.

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