VIBRATIONAL-ENERGY TRANSFER IN FLUIDS

A review of several of the available theories of vibrational energy tr ansfer (VET) in the gas and liquid phases is presented. First the clas sical theory of gas phase VET mainly due to Landau and Teller, to Jack son and Mott and to Zener is developed in some detail. Next the Schwar tz-Slawsky-Herzfeld theory, a framework for analysing VET data based o n the classical theory, is outlined. Experimental tests of the classic al theory and theoretical critiques of its assumptions are then descri bed. Next a brief review of the modern ab-initio quantum approach to g as phase VET rates, taking as an example the work of Banks, Clary and Werner, is given. Theories of VET at elevated densities are then discu ssed. The isolated binary collision model is reviewed and a new molecu lar approach to the density, temperature and isotope dependences of vi brational energy relaxation rates, due to Adelman and co-workers, is o utlined.