A dynamical analysis of energy level fluctuations for an excess electron in methanol

The dynamics of energy level fluctuations for the equilibrium solvated electron in methanol are evaluated via adiabatic ground state quantum molecular dynamics simulations. The dynamics are analyzed in terms of apparent normal mode spectral densities and contributions from such mechanical elements as solvent librational and translational motions. It is found that fluctuations of the individual energy levels have substantial contributions from translational, librational and vibrational modes. However, the energy gap is completely dominated by the low frequency translational modes of the solvent. This is in contrast to the electron in water, where a significant component arises also from librational motion.