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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > October  >
In the Classroom
The Franck-Condon Principle and Condon Parabolas in a Physical Chemistry or Quantum Physics Course
Jean M. Standard
Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4160

Brian K. Clark
Department of Physics, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4560

Cover
October 1999
Vol. 76 No. 10
p. 1363
Abstract
A discussion of Franck-Condon factors and the associated Condon parabola suitable for inclusion in a junior- or senior-level physical chemistry or quantum physics course is presented. The Condon parabola is a convenient means of displaying and visualizing the values of Franck-Condon factors for transitions between two electronic states of a diatomic molecule. In the Condon parabola, Franck-Condon factors are displayed using a contour format to better bring out their parabola-like distribution and the associated interference pattern corresponding to transition intensities. A description of the Condon parabola and Franck-Condon factors for a model in which harmonic oscillators are used to represent the electronic states of a diatomic molecule is given. The effects of varying the equilibrium internuclear separations of the states and the state force constants are illustrated. A Condon parabola for a real diatomic molecule, diatomic potassium, is also shown, and similarities to the harmonic oscillator model are discussed.

Featured on the Cover
More Information
*  Citation
 Standard, Jean M.; Clark, Brian K. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 1363.
*  Keywords
 Physical Chemistry; Quantum Chemistry; Theoretical Chemistry; UV-Vis Spectroscopy; Computer Assisted Instruction
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 September 6, 1999
June 23, 2005
Link to Cover added (April 2004).
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