Molecular Spectroscopy: From the Microwave to the UV
Have you ever wondered how we know the structures of molecules and even of atoms? -- Welcome to SPECTROSCOPY, which uses electromagnetic radiation to interrogate matter.
In my lab we focus on the understanding of the interactions between molecules because the key to understanding a molecule's behavior is to first understand its structure and then how it interacts with its immediate surroundings. Currently we are studying succinimides, a class of molecules that act as anticonvulsants are used to mitigate the effects of absence seizures. The lab is going in two directions and we are excited to have you join either project!
- The role that is played by the phenyl ring in the mechanism of action of certain anticonvulsants is still under active investigation. To probe this phenyl ring more directly we will record ultraviolet spectra of the gas phase molecule at temperatures near absolute zero using our newly built Resonance-enhanced Multiphoton Ionization – Time-of-flight (REMPI-TOF) mass spectrometer. We are in the process of recording our first electronic spectra, so if you choose to join our laser adventures you can be involved with one or more of the following tasks:
- Working with our tunable pulsed laser system and the improving our optics set-up.
- Acquiring and analyzing the electronic spectra of a series of phenylsuccinimides. This includes running electronic structure calculations.
- Maximizing the signal from our new chamber, which includes a vacuum chamber, a TOF mass spectrometer, and a supersonic expansion.
We will record high resolution rotation spectra of several molecules that contain the succinimide group, and how individual water molecules bind to them. This is a collaboration with Prof. Kyle Crabtree, so part of the experimental work will happen at UC-Davis. For this project students get involved in the experimental work as well analyzing the spectra to determine the molecular structure, which requires learning specialized software. If you choose to join this project, you will learn about rotational spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations, leading to a molecular-scale understanding of the particular molecule and its water-containing clusters.
We are a molecular spectroscopy lab, which means you will gain expertise in a versatile set of skills. We are an experimental group, working with fast electronics, high vacuum, and supersonic expansions that cool the molecules within a few degrees of absolute zero. We analyze our data using quantum principles, existing software, and develop our own analysis programs. We also run electronic structure calculations to aid in the analysis and understanding of our data. You will participate in all of these endeavors, tailor-made to your own interests.
Note: Write a one-page essay maximum answering the following questions: Why do you think the MolSpec lab is the right fit for you? What project interests you the most?
Our research has its foundation in physical chemistry but uses instrumental methods that stretch far beyond those borders. Thus, students in my lab participate in a multidisciplinary research team, that uses physics, and engineering to study chemically important problems. If you are curious about working with state-of-the-art instrumentation, solving spectroscopic puzzles, and learning how to read literature, MolSpec may be the place for you!