Knowing the structure of the molecules is essential for understanding how they behave when undergoing chemical reactions. In order to learn about molecular structure, we can observe how molecules interact with infrared radiation. Exposing molecules to infrared radiation causes them to vibrate. On the basis of those vibrations one can determine which atoms are connected within the molecule. Excited molecular vibrations, much like macroscopic springs, cannot vibrate forever. Eventually, the energy dissipates. One of the ways the vibrational energy can leave is by exciting other vibrations – if one spring in a connected series of springs begins vibrating, soon all of them do as well. Determining which different ‘springs’ are connected within different molecules is the subject of my PhD thesis. In our research we were able to demonstrate that, through analysing the connections between different vibrations, we can determine the properties of different chemical bonds in different states of the molecule. Furthermore, we were able to show that the behaviour of vibrating bonds in one molecule can be used to infer information about similar species. Finally, even in molecules where no vibrations were coupled (or: there were no connected springs), exciting molecular vibrations has scientifically valuable consequences.
Olga Duda's academic career:
- 2021-2025: PhD candidate at HFML-FELIX laboratory (Radboud University Nijmegen), Condensed Matter Physics group; supervisors: Dr Joost Bakker and Dr Daniel Horke
- 2017-2021: MChem, 1st Class, St Hilda’s College University of Oxford, UK
- 2014-2017: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 3, Katowice, Poland