Date Published:

OCT 14

Abstract:

The hypersonic impact of a molecular cluster at a hard surface generates a hot and compressed globule that in a very short while expands and shatters. Even at impact velocities below the onset of ionization this hot matter has a time varying transient dipole that can emit light. We discuss the spectral range and the power (in absolute units) of the emission spectrum. The computational results for the emission spectrum from our molecular dynamics simulation are compared to extrapolations of experimental results for collision-induced absorption at lower energies. The very short time interval during which the cluster survives intact means that the emitted power is low so options for increasing the yield of photons are discussed.