RESEARCH AREAS: Our group applies modern tools in laser spectroscopy to a broad range of contemporary problems in condensed phase structure and dynamics. One research area in the group is the use of super resolution scanning probe optical microscopy, especially fluorescence near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), to determine the nanostructure and local optical properties of a broad range of highly structured materials. For example the group is investigating functional organic thin film materials such as organic heterojunctions which are used in solar cells. The group recently has begun investigations of biological samples, ranging from biologically modified surfaces to living cells. An additional research area in the group is the use of single molecule spectroscopy to investigate the chemical and photophysical dynamics of chemical and biological systems that are too complex to investigate by non-single molecule kinetic methods. Examples include the photophysics of conjugated polymer molecules and the chemical dynamics of t-RNA/chaperone protein complexes. A final thrust in the group is the use of femtosecond spectroscopy to investigate intermolecular and intramolecular atomic motions during ultrafast chemical processes in solution. Some of the processes under investigation include the relaxation dynamics of the hydrated electron, intermolecular electron transfer in metal-metal-mixed valence complexes, and the conformational structure and dynamics of RNA-protein complexes. |
