Atomic & Molecular Physics

Kleiber, Skiff, Grassian, Jensen, Young

Atomic and Molecular Physics is a field where the most exciting problems are often interdisciplinary with chemistry and atmospheric science. Our graduate students in Physics and Astronomy can choose an advisor in either our own department or in the Department of Chemistry.		Image gallery
Our interdisciplinary program includes four experimenters, with substantial labs and state-of-the-art instruments. Our senior faculty members have significant international reputations, with a record of invited talks at international conferences. Students can choose a purely atomic and molecular physics project, or a plasma physics project using laser spectroscopy. Additionally, students may choose a project with our chemistry faculty, for example on mineral aerosols in the Earth's troposphere. Our physics faculty are known for their development of novel laser-based spectroscopic methods. We probe the transition state region of a chemical reaction, allowing unique insight into the dynamics of bond-breaking and bond-forming processes in chemical reactions. We also develop new laser-induced fluorescence instruments for measuring particle motion in magnetized plasmas. Our PhD graduates have been placed as postdocs in the leading research groups in the world.

• Molecular spectroscopy and chemical dynamics (bond activation and energy transfer processes)
• Development of laser-based spectroscopic methods
• Three labs: major instruments include a tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer with supersonic molecular beam source, tunable Nd:YAG-pumped lasers
• Interdisciplinary collaborations with faculty and students from the Department of Chemistry
• Students use varied experimental techniques including laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, supersonic molecular beams, and molecular-scattering experiments
• Students may also learn to do theoretical ab-initio molecular structure calculations to support their experimental work
• In most years, grant support is available for multiple RA stipends and student travel to conferences

• Primary research area is experimental plasma physics; student projects include atomic physics methods
• Spectroscopy of atomic ions, calculation of spectra, laser-optical pumping, tracer particle measurements
• Experimental facilities include: 3-meter linear magnetized plasma device for waves and spectroscopy, single-frequency scanning lasers for high-resolution laser spectroscopy
• Students also interact with group members including a postdoc and students, they participate in the plasma seminar and interact with other theoretical and experimental faculty
• Students develop skills including designing and building apparatus, electronics, computation
• In most years, grant support is available for multiple RA stipends and student travel to conferences

• Topics in environmental, atmospheric and materials processes include: heterogeneous reactions of trace atmospheric gases, optical properties of atmospheric particulates, environmental catalysis, nanoparticles for use in environmental remediation
• Professor of Physical Chemistry, is eligible to co-advise physics graduate students
• Facilities include a surface analysis instruments for techniques including scanning Auger electron spectrometry, optical spectroscopy including diffuse reflectance UV/Vis, and FT-IR spectroscopy
• Students develop skills in surface science, chemical kinetics and spectroscopy. Students can also become involved in atmospheric and environmental modeling
• Students will have the opportunity to interact with other students and faculty in physics, chemistry and chemical engineering
• Recent PhDs are now employed in national laboratories, universities and industry
• In most years, grant support is available for multiple RA stipends and student travel to conferences

• Quantum mechanical modeling of protein biochemistry related to protein engineering and rational design of drugs
• Chemistry professor, is eligible to co-advise physics graduate students
• Students may participate in interdisciplinary collaboration with biochemists, biophysicists, and other theoretical chemists in the US, Canada, and Europe
• Students develop skills that include molecular modeling, theory development, applied mathematics, and scientific programming
• In most years, grant support is available for multiple RA stipends and student travel to conferences

• Laser photochemical studies of electron and proton transfer in model complexes; atmospheric chemistry of particulate matter
• Chemistry professor, is eligible to co-advise physics graduate students
• Techniques are developed including real-time mass spectrometric techniques for environmental sampling
• Facilities include: time-of-flight mass spectrometers, molecular beam sources, atmospheric reaction chambers, excimer/Nd:YAG/tunable-solid-state lasers
• Students develop skills using lasers, optics and mass spectrometry; computer-based data analysis for kinetics, spectroscopy and dynamics, theoretical molecular modeling methods
• Students may be involved in interdisciplinary collaborations with scientists in chemistry, physics and engineering
• In most years, grant support is available an RA stipend and student travel to conferences