Several of our faculty use laser spectroscopic methods to investigate problems from atmospheric chemistry and pollution to understanding the mechanisms of oxidation of metal-bound molecules.

Student working on a Fourier-transform Infrared instrument that is used to measure the infrared spectra of radical species using a 150 meter path length absorption cell. The radicals species are involved in the chemistry of the polluted urban atmosphere.

Students working on the laser photolysis experiments.

This apparatus employs thermal lens spectrometry to measure rate coefficients for the reactions of radical species that lead to the formation of ozone in photochemical smog. It consists of a CO² laser, HeNe laser, and xenon flashlamp.

An undergraduate student is reacting a cysteinato complex with photochemically generated singlet oxygen.

An undergraduate student is preparing a cysteinato complex that will be photooxidized.

Prof. Selke is measuring the decay rate of singlet oxygen in the presence of a metal complex.