Vibrational Spectroscopy and Imaging from Interstellar Dust to Life. The outcome of this project will result in a more thorough understanding of the role of water in the atmosphere and in the Greenhouse effect, and will provide information leading to more accurate modelling of Global warming. The results will also lead to new insights into interstellar chemistry, the chemistry of cometary dust and the origins of life.
Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transi ....Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transition states. The technique will be applied to an important class of halide-cluster complexes that form a set of prototypical reactions. These species also play important roles ranging from ozone depletion through to industrial chemistry.Read moreRead less
Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity o ....Molecular signatures of complex photodissociation reactions. All energy on earth comes from the sun, either directly (e.g photosynthesis) or indirectly (e.g fossil fuels). Photochemistry is the study of how this light is absorbed and what happens to a molecule afterwards. Despite significant experimental and theoretical advances in the past decade (some in our lab), scientists still cannot predict the outcomes of most photochemical reactions. In this project we will determine the reactivity of several small, fundamental organic molecules. Not only are these molecules pollutants around our cities, but discovery of how they react in the presence of light will allow us to understand and predict the photochemistry of a much wider range of organic species.Read moreRead less
Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight in ....Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight into the sulfur oxides and their water clusters, relevant to sulfuric acid formation, providing data applicable to the modelling of planetary atmospheres, especially timely for the Venus Express mission, and more importantly, the building of comprehensive climate models.Read moreRead less
Imaging chemical reaction dynamics from the transition state to reaction products. Chemical reactions play a key role in many atmospheric, environmental and industrial processes. An understanding of reactions at the molecular level will lead to significant economic benefits, through more efficient reaction control, and through the identification of the key environmental factors which influence why particular reactions proceed. Our study of chemical reaction dynamics has been driven by technolo ....Imaging chemical reaction dynamics from the transition state to reaction products. Chemical reactions play a key role in many atmospheric, environmental and industrial processes. An understanding of reactions at the molecular level will lead to significant economic benefits, through more efficient reaction control, and through the identification of the key environmental factors which influence why particular reactions proceed. Our study of chemical reaction dynamics has been driven by technological advances which enable key stages of a reaction to be imaged and studied at the molecular level. Read moreRead less