The main goal of this book is to give a systematic description of intramolecular quantum dynamics on the basis of only the symmetry principles. In this respect, the book has no analogs in the world literature. This approach does not introduce a configuration space of the molecular system in explicit form at all and, consequently, does not consider in explicit form the wave functions of the coordinates of this space. However, precisely because of its deep philosophical and technical difference this approach is the only possible for the solution of many topical problems of the internal dynamics of molecules. The obtained models lead to a simple, purely algebraic, scheme of calculation and are rigorous in the sense that their correctness is limited only to the correct choice of symmetry of the internal dynamics.
The book is basically intended for scientists working in the field of molecular spectroscopy, quantum and structural chemistry. The reader is not supposed to know the apparatus of group representation theory needed for application of symmetry methods in quantum intramolecular dynamics since the first part of the book is dedicated to it.
Part I. Foundations of the mathematical apparatus
Chapter 1.Basic concepts of the theory of groups
Chapter 2.Basic concepts of the theory of group representations
Chapter 3.Permutation group
Chapter 4.Continuous groups
Chapter 5.Point groups
Chapter 6.Dynamic groups
Part II. Qualitative intramolecular quantum dynamics
Chapter 7.The philosophy of using the symmetry properties of internal dynamics
Chapter 8.Internal dynamics of rigid molecules
Chapter 9.Molecules with nonrigid exchange-type transitions
Chapter 10.Mole-cules with nonrigid nonexchange-type transitions between equivalent configurations
Chapter 11.On the meaning of the Born - Oppenheimer approximation
Chapter 12.Mole-cules with nonrigid exchange- and nonexchange-type transitions between equivalent configurations
Chapter 13.Molecules with different isometric forms in one electron state
Chapter 14.Mole-cules with different isometric forms in different electron states
Chapter 15.Alge-braic models of global description of molecule spectrum
Conclusion
Appendices
I.Tables of characters of permutation groups
II.Tables of characters of point groups
III.Tables of nuclear statistical weights
IV.Classification of normal vibrations of rigid molecules
Index of molecular systems
Bibliography
Alexander V. Burenin, Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
"This is a detailed book that is well worth reading. ... One part is a clear presentation of the background theory of symmetry operators and group representations. In this regard it is an excellent reference book and one of the clearest sets of chapters on this standard theory. ..."
Brian L. Burrows, University of Michigan Mathematical Reviews, August 2013
"This book is an excellent one. Using only the basis of the symmetry principles, the author gives a systematic description of intramolecular quantum dynamics. [...] For Physicists and Mathematicians on theoretical studies in intramolecular quantum dynamics the book has a very useful reference value. This book can very well be used as graduate student course." Zentralblatt für Mathematik
