@phdthesis{Rietze2020,
  author    = {Rietze, Clemens},
  title     = {Optimierung und Analyse von molekularen Schaltern in komplexen Umgebungen: thermische Stabilit{\"a}t, Auslesbarkeit und Schaltbarkeit},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-45959},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459594},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {131},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Seit Jahrzehnten stellen die molekularen Schalter ein wachsendes Forschungsgebiet dar. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation stand die Verbesserung der thermischen Stabilit{\"a}t, der Auslesbarkeit und Schaltbarkeit dieser molekularen Schalter in komplexen Umgebungen mithilfe computergest{\"u}tzter Chemie im Vordergrund. Im ersten Projekt wurde die Kinetik der thermischen E → Z-Isomerisierung und die damit verbundene thermische Stabilit{\"a}t eines Azobenzol-Derivats untersucht. Daf{\"u}r wurde Dichtefunktionaltheorie (DFT) in Verbindung mit der Eyring-Theorie des {\"U}bergangszustandes (TST) angewendet. Das Azobenzol-Derivat diente als vereinfachtes Modell f{\"u}r das Schalten in einer komplexen Umgebung (hier in metallorganischen Ger{\"u}sten). Es wurden thermodynamische und kinetische Gr{\"o}ßen unter verschiedenen Einfl{\"u}ssen berechnet, wobei gute {\"U}bereinstimmungen mit dem Experiment gefunden wurden. Die hier verwendete Methode stellte einen geeigneten Ansatz dar, um diese Gr{\"o}ßen mit angemessener Genauigkeit vorherzusagen. Im zweiten Projekt wurde die Auslesbarkeit der Schaltzust{\"a}nde in Form des nichtlinearen optischen (NLO) Kontrastes f{\"u}r die Molek{\"u}lklasse der Fulgimide untersucht. Die daf{\"u}r ben{\"o}tigten dynamischen Hyperpolarisierbarkeiten unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung der Elektronenkorrelation wurden mittels einer etablierten Skalierungsmethode berechnet. Es wurden verschiedene Fulgimide analysiert, wobei viele experimentelle Befunde best{\"a}tigt werden konnten. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus legte die theoretische Vorhersage f{\"u}r ein weiteres System nahe, dass insbesondere die Erweiterung des π-Elektronensystems ein vielversprechender Ansatz zur Verbesserung von NLO-Kontrasten darstellt. Die Fulgimide verf{\"u}gen somit {\"u}ber n{\"u}tzliche Eigenschaften, sodass diese in Zukunft als Bauelemente in photonischen und optoelektronischen Bereichen Anwendungen finden k{\"o}nnten. Im dritten Projekt wurde die E → Z-Isomerisierung auf ein quantenmechanisch (QM) behandeltes Dimer mit molekularmechanischer (MM) Umgebung und zwei Fluorazobenzol-Monomeren durch Molek{\"u}ldynamik simuliert. Dadurch wurde die Schaltbarkeit in komplexer Umgebung (hier selbstorgansierte Einzelschichten = SAMs) bzw. von Azobenzolderivaten analysiert. Mit dem QM/MM Modell wurden sowohl Van-der-Waals-Interaktionen mit der Umgebung als auch elektronische Kopplung (nur zwischen QM-Molek{\"u}len) ber{\"u}cksichtigt. Dabei wurden systematische Untersuchungen zur Packungsdichte durchgef{\"u}hrt. Es zeigte sich, dass bereits bei einem Molek{\"u}labstand von 4.5 {\AA} die Quantenausbeute (prozentuale Anzahl erfolgreicher Schaltprozesse) des Monomers erreicht wird. Die gr{\"o}ßten Quantenausbeuten wurden f{\"u}r die beiden untersuchten Fluorazobenzole erzielt. Es wurden die Effekte des Molek{\"u}labstandes und der Einfluss von Fluorsubstituenten auf die Dynamik eingehend untersucht, sodass der Weg f{\"u}r darauf aufbauende Studien geebnet ist.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Melani2019,
  author    = {Melani, Giacomo},
  title     = {From structural fluctuations to vibrational spectroscopy of adsorbates on surfaces},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-44182},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-441826},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {119},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Aluminum oxide is an Earth-abundant geological material, and its interaction with water is of crucial importance for geochemical and environmental processes. Some aluminum oxide surfaces are also known to be useful in heterogeneous catalysis, while the surface chemistry of aqueous oxide interfaces determines the corrosion, growth and dissolution of such materials. In this doctoral work, we looked mainly at the (0001) surface of α-Al 2 O 3 and its reactivity towards water. In particular, a great focus of this work is dedicated to simulate and address the vibrational spectra of water adsorbed on the α-alumina(0001) surface in various conditions and at different coverages. In fact, the main source of comparison and inspiration for this work comes from the collaboration with the "Interfacial Molecular Spectroscopy" group led by Dr. R. Kramer Campen at the Fritz-Haber Institute of the MPG in Berlin. The expertise of our project partners in surface-sensitive Vibrational Sum Frequency (VSF) generation spectroscopy was crucial to develop and adapt specific simulation schemes used in this work. Methodologically, the main approach employed in this thesis is Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) based on periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) using the PBE functional with D2 dispersion correction. The analysis of vibrational frequencies from both a static and a dynamic, finite-temperature perspective offers the ability to investigate the water / aluminum oxide interface in close connection to experiment. The first project presented in this work considers the characterization of dissociatively adsorbed deuterated water on the Al-terminated (0001) surface. This particular structure is known from both experiment and theory to be the thermodynamically most stable surface termination of α-alumina in Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) conditions. Based on experiments performed by our colleagues at FHI, different adsorption sites and products have been proposed and identified for D 2 O. While previous theoretical investigations only looked at vibrational frequencies of dissociated OD groups by staticNormal Modes Analysis (NMA), we rather employed a more sophisticated approach to directly assess vibrational spectra (like IR and VSF) at finite temperature from AIMD. In this work, we have employed a recent implementation which makes use of velocity-velocity autocorrelation functions to simulate such spectral responses of O-H(D) bonds. This approach allows for an efficient and qualitatively accurate estimation of Vibrational Densities of States (VDOS) as well as IR and VSF spectra, which are then tested against experimental spectra from our collaborators. In order to extend previous work on unimolecularly dissociated water on α-Al 2 O 3 , we then considered a different system, namely, a fully hydroxylated (0001) surface, which results from the reconstruction of the UHV-stable Al-terminated surface at high water contents. This model is then further extended by considering a hydroxylated surface with additional water molecules, forming a two-dimensional layer which serves as a potential template to simulate an aqueous interface in environmental conditions. Again, employing finite-temperature AIMD trajectories at the PBE+D2 level, we investigated the behaviour of both hydroxylated surface (HS) and the water-covered structure derived from it (known as HS+2ML). A full range of spectra, from VDOS to IR and VSF, is then calculated using the same methodology, as described above. This is the main focus of the second project, reported in Chapter 5. In this case, comparison between theoretical spectra and experimental data is definitely good. In particular, we underline the nature of high-frequency resonances observed above 3700 cm -1 in VSF experiments to be associated with surface OH-groups, known as "aluminols" which are a key fingerprint of the fully hydroxylated surface. In the third and last project, which is presented in Chapter 6, the extension of VSF spectroscopy experiments to the time-resolved regime offered us the opportunity to investigate vibrational energy relaxation at the α-alumina / water interface. Specifically, using again DFT-based AIMD simulations, we simulated vibrational lifetimes for surface aluminols as experimentally detected via pump-probe VSF. We considered the water-covered HS model as a potential candidate to address this problem. The vibrational (IR) excitation and subsequent relaxation is performed by means of a non-equilibrium molecular dynamics scheme. In such a scheme, we specifically looked at the O-H stretching mode of surface aluminols. Afterwards, the analysis of non-equilibrium trajectories allows for an estimation of relaxation times in the order of 2-4 ps which are in overall agreement with measured ones. The aim of this work has been to provide, within a consistent theoretical framework, a better understanding of vibrational spectroscopy and dynamics for water on the α-alumina(0001) surface,ranging from very low water coverage (similar to the UHV case) up to medium-high coverages, resembling the hydroxylated oxide in environmental moist conditions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Heiden2018,
  author    = {Heiden, Sophia L.},
  title     = {Water at α-alumina surfaces},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-42636},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-426366},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {124},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {The (0001) surface of α-Al₂O₃ is the most stable surface cut under UHV conditions and was studied by many groups both theoretically and experimentally. Reaction barriers computed with GGA functionals are known to be underestimated. Based on an example reaction at the (0001) surface, this work seeks to improve this rate by applying a hybrid functional method and perturbation theory (LMP2) with an atomic orbital basis, rather than a plane wave basis. In addition to activation barriers, we calculate the stability and vibrational frequencies of water on the surface. Adsorption energies were compared to PW calculations and confirmed PBE+D2/PW stability results. Especially the vibrational frequencies with the B3LYP hybrid functional that have been calculated for the (0001) surface are in good agreement with experimental findings. Concerning the barriers and the reaction rate constant, the expectations are fully met. It could be shown that recalculation of the transition state leads to an increased barrier, and a decreased rate constant when hybrid functionals or LMP2 are applied. Furthermore, the molecular beam scattering of water on (0001) surface was studied. In a previous work by Hass the dissociation was studied by AIMD of molecularly adsorbed water, referring to an equilibrium situation. The experimental method to obtaining this is pinhole dosing. In contrast to this earlier work, the dissociation process of heavy water that is brought onto the surface from a molecular beam source was modeled in this work by periodic ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. This experimental method results in a non-equilibrium situation. The calculations with different surface and beam models allow us to understand the results of the non-equilibrium situation better. In contrast to a more equilibrium situation with pinhole dosing, this gives an increase in the dissociation probability, which could be explained and also understood mechanistically by those calculations. In this work good progress was made in understanding the (1120) surface of α-Al₂O₃ in contact with water in the low-coverage regime. This surface cut is the third most stable one under UHV conditions and has not been studied to a great extent yet. After optimization of the clean, defect free surface, the stability of different adsorbed species could be classified. One molecular minimum and several dissociated species could be detected. Starting from these, reaction rates for various surface reactions were evaluated. A dissociation reaction was shown to be very fast because the molecular minimum is relatively unstable, whereas diffusion reactions cover a wider range from fast to slow. In general, the (112‾0) surface appears to be much more reactive against water than the (0001) surface. In addition to reactivity, harmonic vibrational frequencies were determined for comparison with the findings of the experimental "Interfacial Molecular Spectroscopy" group from Fritz-Haber institute in Berlin. Especially the vibrational frequencies of OD species could be assigned to vibrations from experimental SFG spectra with very good agreement. Also, lattice vibrations were studied in close collaboration with the experimental partners. They perform SFG spectra at very low frequencies to get deep into the lattice vibration region. Correspondingly, a bigger slab model with greater expansion perpendicular to the surface was applied, considering more layers in the bulk. Also with the lattice vibrations we could obtain reasonably good agreement in terms of energy differences between the peaks.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Fischer2022,
  author    = {Fischer, Eric Wolfgang},
  title     = {Quantum vibrational dynamics in complex environments: from vibrational strong coupling in molecular cavity QED to phonon-induced adsorbate relaxation},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-56721},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-567214},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {viii, 171},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Molecules are often naturally embedded in a complex environment. As a consequence, characteristic properties of a molecular subsystem can be substantially altered or new properties emerge due to interactions between molecular and environmental degrees of freedom. The present thesis is concerned with the numerical study of quantum dynamical and stationary properties of molecular vibrational systems embedded in selected complex environments. In the first part, we discuss "strong-coupling" model scenarios for molecular vibrations interacting with few quantized electromagnetic field modes of an optical Fabry-P{\´e}rot cavity. We thoroughly elaborate on properties of emerging "vibrational polariton" light-matter hybrid states and examine the relevance of the dipole self-energy. Further, we identify cavity-induced quantum effects and an emergent dynamical resonance in a cavity-altered thermal isomerization model, which lead to significant suppression of thermal reaction rates. Moreover, for a single rovibrating diatomic molecule in an optical cavity, we observe non-adiabatic signatures in dynamics due to "vibro-polaritonic conical intersections" and discuss spectroscopically accessible "rovibro-polaritonic" light-matter hybrid states. In the second part, we study a weakly coupled but numerically challenging quantum mechanical adsorbate-surface model system comprising a few thousand surface modes. We introduce an efficient construction scheme for a "hierarchical effective mode" approach to reduce the number of surface modes in a controlled manner. In combination with the multilayer multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree (ML-MCTDH) method, we examine the vibrational adsorbate relaxation dynamics from different excited adsorbate states by solving the full non-Markovian system-bath dynamics for the characteristic relaxation time scale. We examine half-lifetime scaling laws from vibrational populations and identify prominent non-Markovian signatures as deviations from Markovian reduced system density matrix theory in vibrational coherences, system-bath entanglement and energy transfer dynamics. In the final part of this thesis, we approach the dynamics and spectroscopy of vibronic model systems at finite temperature by formulating the ML-MCTDH method in the non-stochastic framework of thermofield dynamics. We apply our method to thermally-altered ultrafast internal conversion in the well-known vibronic coupling model of pyrazine. Numerically beneficial representations of multilayer wave functions ("ML-trees") are identified for different temperature regimes, which allow us to access thermal effects on both electronic and vibrational dynamics as well as spectroscopic properties for several pyrazine models.},
  language  = {en}
}