Questions about Franck-Condon principle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Franck-Condon principle, focusing on its implications for electronic and vibrational transitions in molecules upon photon absorption. Participants explore the conditions under which these transitions occur and the energy requirements involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a transition between vibrational states is necessary if the energy of the incoming photon is sufficient for an electronic transition alone.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the implications of the Franck-Condon principle regarding the energy levels of excited electronic states and how multiple photon excitations affect the potential energy diagram.
  • Some participants express confusion about the terminology used, specifically the use of "doubts" instead of framing their inquiries as questions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a lack of consensus, with participants expressing confusion and seeking clarification on various aspects of the Franck-Condon principle and its applications.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved their understanding of the energy requirements for transitions and the implications of multiple excitations on potential energy diagrams.

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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Doubts meaning you do not think it works like that or that you don't understand that principle?
 
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
 
Salmone said:
I don't understand the points I've written
You have questions. You should write questions instead of 'doubts'.
 

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