Seminar on
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy


Dana Dlott , University of Illinois

Ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy with high time and space resolution

February 27, 2007

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Grier Room 34-401


Abstract:

Time resolved vibrational spectroscopy is a well-known method for studying molecular
processes. We don't ordinarily think of this method as having high spatial resolution. However
in experiments using nonlinear, multidimensional and coherent vibrational spectroscopies with
molecular nanostructures where the locations of molecular reporter groups are precisely known, it becomes possible to watch vibrational energy with angstrom spatial resolution and femtosecond time resolution. In fact we have developed the world's thinnest thermometer just one atom wide. A few examples will be discussed: vibrational energy flow across a molecule in a liquid, vibrational energy across an interfacial monolayer, and vibrational energy down a molecular chain.

TUESDAYS, 12:00-1:00, GRIER ROOM (34-401)
Refreshments served following the seminar

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Co-sponsored by the George R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory,
the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and
the School of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.