Molecular polarizability anisotropy of liquid water revealed by terahertz-induced transient orientation.

ABSTRACT: Reaction pathways of biochemical processes are influenced by the dissipative electrostatic interaction of the reagents with solvent water molecules. The simulation of these interactions requires a parametrization of the permanent and induced dipole moments. However, the underlying molecular polarizability of water and its dependence on ions are partially unknown. Here, we apply intense terahertz pulses to liquid water, whose oscillations match the timescale of orientational relaxation. Using a combination of terahertz pump / optical probe experiments, molecular dynamics simulations, and a Langevin dynamics model, we demonstrate a transient orientation of their dipole moments, not possible by optical excitation. The resulting birefringence reveals that the polarizability of water is lower a

SUBMITTER: Zalden P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5976729 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature