Minerva Center on Making New Bonds by Fragmentation

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (established in 2023)

Keywords

Fragmentation; interstellar universe; planets; proteomics

Research activities and aims

The common approach to fragmentation considers the dynamics of bond breaking. Nevertheless, fragmentation can involve non-trivial dynamics that can lead also to formation of new unexpected bonds. While fascinating from a basic research perspective, the paradigm of forming bonds by fragmentation can be of great importance to various fields, including understanding the molecular composition of the interstellar universe and of our planet's atmosphere, as well as in technological applications such as proteomics. While statistical approaches can sometimes be useful, the challenge in understanding fragmentation on the molecular scale arises from the underlying quantum-mechanical nature of such small sub-nanometer systems. Furthermore, fragmentation can occur on widely different time scales, from ultrafast processes occurring on the femto-second time scale to ultra-slow processes spanning milliseconds and even second time scales. In recent years, the founding members of the Minerva Center independently developed a wide range of novel capabilities, which offer a unique opportunity for investigation of fragmentation processes in general and in particular, the formation of new bonds by fragmentation of carefully prepared molecular or cluster systems.
The multi-disciplinary Minerva Center aims to form an inter-university community of physics and chemistry, experimental and theory research groups for studying the making of new bonds by fragmentation. The center promotes joint experiments, closely supported by theoretical simulations, enabling Israeli groups to perform experiments at unique facilities developed by the German members (and vice versa). Furthermore, by facilitating access of young students and postdocs to cutting-edge international and multidisciplinary research opportunities, the center advances the future generation of young scientists in Israel and Germany and inspires future collaborations.