Molecular Models of Chemical Structure and Dynamics

The Gordon Research Conference on Molecular and Ionic Clusters brings together a broad spectrum of experimental and theoretical scientists interested in the structure, dynamics and spectroscopy of clusters. These microscopic assemblies range in size from a few atoms or molecules all the way to nanoparticles and droplets. The ability to control the size, composition, temperature and environment of these often well-defined objects makes them powerful molecular-level models for studying non-covalent interactions, conformational dynamics, photo-induced events, solvent effects, chemical reactivity and nucleation kinetics. Their computationally tractable sizes also enable them to serve as benchmark for newly developed electronic structure theory and theoretical methods. Because of their large surface-to-volume ratio and quantum confinement effects, clusters also display unique size-dependent properties that differ from those of individual constituents as well as bulk matter. Clusters themselves are therefore directly relevant in the fields of catalysis, biophysics, atmospheric chemistry and astrochemistry.

The 2020 meeting will mark the 30th anniversary of the Molecular and Ionic Clusters GRC, highlighting the importance and the continuously evolving nature of this field. Sessions will present recent theoretical and experimental innovations and focus on the current frontiers of the field with the goal of exploring how molecular cluster science can continue to flourish in the next 30 years. The experimental techniques include jets, droplet sources and cryogenic ion traps which provide exquisite control over the nature, state and size of the clusters as well as access to assemblies with increasing precision and complexity. The sessions also include new avenues for accurate molecular-level characterization of clusters and their physical properties, such as laser-based spectroscopy methods spanning from microwave to VUV, photoelectron imaging spectroscopies, chiral-sensitive spectroscopy, time-resolved spectroscopies, combination of ion mobility and high resolution mass spectrometry techniques as well as X-ray and electron diffraction. Sessions focusing on new theoretical methods to describe electronic structures, multiple potential energy surfaces, coupled electron-nuclei dynamics, photophysics, and vibrational spectroscopy of clusters will also be included to strengthen the synergistic combination of experiment and theory that is especially relevant to the field of cluster science. The presentations at this GRC will feature invited talks, contributed oral presentations on late-breaking topics and poster sessions.