Orbital Visualization of Thorium Complex

A complex 3D molecular visualization of electron orbitals against a black background. A central cyan-blue sphere represents the nucleus or central atom, surrounded by a symmetrical arrangement of large, translucent "lobes" in vibrant red and deep purple. These lobes represent the probability density of electrons (orbitals). Overlaid on these shapes is a delicate wireframe or ball-and-stick model of a molecule with small gray and white spheres, showing the underlying atomic framework.

Label: Orbital Visualization of Thorium Complex
Artist: Marcus Liebenthal
Description: This work demonstrates a way of treating nuclear waste used in power plants and factories is to bind chemicals to radioactive elements, making them easier to remove from toxic solutions. Shown here is a simulation of such a reaction, where Thorium (a radioactive element) is bound to three cyclopentadiene anions. Here I visualize an orbit of one of the electrons that help bind these molecules together, giving deeper insights into the underlying quantum mechanics. I used ray-tracing (a rendering technique used in modern video games) to give a more ‘life-like’ image of this bond.
Type: Cell Phone Camera
Artist Affiliation: Graduate Student
Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Area of Research: Quantum Chemistry
Date: 2019