Structure and Dynamics of Isolated Particles: From Small Clusters to Atmospheric Aerosols

The Gordon Conference on Molecular and Ionic Clusters brings together experimentalists and theoreticians who share an interest in the structure, energetics, and dynamics of clusters. Bridging the gap between gas phase, where condensation starts to occur, and solutions or solids, this GRC has a strong interdisciplinary character. This continuously evolving field encompasses many of the most exciting areas of chemical physics and physical chemistry, including solvation, the structure of liquids, the role of the environment in reactive or nonreactive processes, photo-induced events, aggregation mechanisms, quantum effects in superfluid clusters, and noncovalent interactions in biological molecules. Topics covered in this GRC include different techniques of forming various types of neutral and charged clusters including embedded in He or H2 quantum droplets, ranging in size from few to millions of particles having temperatures from sub-Kelvin to hundreds of Kelvin. Topics also encompass innovative ways of studying these clusters, based on state-of-the-art laser spectroscopy (from far IR to VUV and X-ray), mass spectroscopy, photoelectron and velocity map imaging spectroscopy, THz and microwave spectroscopy, and single cluster X-ray diffraction imaging. In addition, time-resolved techniques address dynamical phenomena related to electron and nuclear motion and relaxation. The most recent theoretical approaches to cluster science include efficient ways of exploring complex potential energy surfaces, description of solvation, new-generation force fields, and recent developments in the description of photoreactive processes. Besides the fundamental aspects of cluster science, this Conference will also tackle their role at the interface with other fields, such as aerosols in environmental sciences, noncovalent interaction in biomolecules, catalysis and surface science, or grains in astrochemical sciences. The conference will host invited talks, late-breaking topic oral presentations and poster sessions.