On the microscopic theory of polar solvation dynamics.

A microscopic model of the time-resolved Stokes shift is developed. The model calculates the solvation dynamics by combining the atomic resolution of the solute structure with dipolar dynamics from the polarization structure factors of the homogeneous solvent. Calculations are made for coumarin 153 and quinoxaline optical dyes with atomic geometries and charge distributions taken from quantum calculations. Stokes shift dynamics is calculated and compared to experiment in high-temperature acetonitrile and methanol and in low-temperature 2-methyl-tetrahydrofurane using dielectric relaxation data from experiment. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.