The group "Molecular Kinetics and
Spectroscopy" of Martin Quack at ETH has as main research theme the
understanding of fundamental, physical-chemical molecular primary processes.
The basic research question concerns the fully quantum
mechanical molecular motion, which is at the origin of all chemical
reactions. An essential aspect of the research is the systematic
combination of experimental and theoretical studies. The experimental
studies concentrate on high resolution infrared
spectroscopy, infrared multiphoton excitation and time resolved
kinetic spectroscopy. While most of the experiments address fundamental
questions, some practical applications relate to atmospheric spectroscopy
and to isotope separation. The theory covers full-dimensional quantum
dynamics by various approaches. Approximate theories are developed and
tested in relation to exact theories. Another focus of theory is the time dependent quantum
dynamics in intramolecular energy flow and vibrational redistribution,
coherent infrared multiphoton excitation and laser chemistry as well as time
dependent quantum statistical mechanical approaches to these processes.
Finally, the group studies fundamental symmetry principles in molecular
processes and molecular chirality in relation to parity violation.
The Quack group typically counts ten
members or perhaps a little more. It has a high level of advanced
instrumental installations. Laboratory space is concentrated in 5(1/2)
specially designed, large and well equipped laboratories in the new
buildings. A particular educational effort of the group in general and
Martin Quack in particular concerns the special study branch of
Interdisciplinary Sciences ("Studiengang N"), which Martin Quack has taken
care of since more than a decade as Advisor "Fachberater" (chairman, now
called delegate, "Studiendelegierter"). These studies allow for a broad
scientific education covering physics, chemistry,
and biology with various possible specialisations but no necessary
restriction to any one subfield.