Molecular Physics

Aim

The course introduces the basics in molecular physics necessary to tackle more advanced courses in organic electronics. To succeed the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• use the knowledge from modern physics and mathematics
• describe the Schrödinger equation for atoms and molecules
• predict the structure and bonds in molecules and polymers
• explain the results from vibrational and optical spectroscopies used to characterize molecules and polymers
• explain various concepts and definitions (electron affinity, ionisation potential, electronegativity, Pauli principle, spin of particles and transition dipole moment)
• propose ways to control the optical properties of organic materials
• calculate the electronic structure of molecules and polymers in the Hückel approximation

Content

Basics of quantum mechanics is introduced. Application of basic quantum mechanics to describe the formation of bonds in molecules and between molecules. The Schrödinger equation is used to extract the electronic structure of small conjugated molecules. Basics of chemical nomenclature is introduced. Bloch's theorem is applied to monomer units to predict the electronic structure of conjugated polymers. Spectroscopic techniques are introduced to show how to characterize various molecular properties: molecular vibrations, optical excitations and electronic structure. The principle of those spectroscopies is introduced using quantum mechanics.