Probing Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics Inspired by the Rhythms of Fireflies

Probing Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics Inspired by the Rhythms of Fireflies Coherence phenomena arise from interference, or the addition, of wave -like amplitudes in phase [1] . While coherence has been shown to yield transformative new ways for improving function, advances have been limited to pristine matter, as quantum coherence is considered fragile. Here I will discuss how vibrational an d vibronic wavepackets entrain ensembles of molecules, like the synchronized flashing of fireflies . I will discuss how this can be used to probe mechanisms of ultrafast dynamics and how in -step vibrational motion might be employed to control function on ul trafast timescales. I will give examples that include light -harvesting in photosynthesis, energy flow in organometallic molecules that is ‘wired’ by Fermi resonance, and ultrafast electron transfer in molecular systems. [1] Scholes, et al. “Optimal Coherence in Chemical and Biophysical Dynamics” Nature 543, 647 – 656 (2017) .