Molecular Ghost Dance

Light from molecules creates a spectrum (a ‘spectre’ or ‘ghost’) that can be recorded with sensitive detectors in our laboratory.  The word ‘spectrum’ is derived from a time when light dispersed through a prism was called a ‘spectre’ or ‘ghost’.  This movie visualises spectra or light energy patterns associated with molecules.  Each dot in the patterns is a quantised energy change.  Quantum calculations show how the patterns can initially match experimental data and then ‘dance’ through a myriad of energy possibilities.