Laser spectroscopy is a powerful tool, both in analytical and physical chemistry.  It can be used to identify molecular structure, investigate molecule-surface interfaces, and probe the electronic structure of molecules.  I have routinely used many types of laser spectroscopy, coupled with quantum mechanical studies, to explore the complex nature of various probe molecules.  My research has focused mainly on surface enhanced hyper Raman spectroscopy (SEHRS), an optical probe of nonlinear vibrational scattering processes.  By utilizing nonlinear spectroscopy, I can access molecular transitions which are classically forbidden in linear optical processes. This is a superior technique because it utilizes wavelengths that are transparent to biological tissue.  I have also run experiments that show surface enhancements in SEHRS can produce signal from extremely low concentrations, which may lead to single molecule detection.  My poster will also display the work I have done in developing laboratories for General Chemistry courses.

Nonlinear laser spectroscopy used as a molecular probe

244th National Meeting (2012)

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