A Multi-Functional Laser Laboratory for Undergraduate Chemistry

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A central multi-functional laser laboratory is being created. The laboratory is allowing the unique capabilities of laser light sources and computer-assisted data acquisition and analysis to be realized by undergraduate students. The facility is providing the means to augment the teaching of classical thermodynamics, integrating the teaching of molecular spectroscopy across three years of study and providing an opportunity for experimentation in kinetic studies. Specifically the laboratory consists of two laser light sources (an argon laser and a nitrogen-pumped dye laser), associated optics, a monochromator, sample holders, a detection system, and a microcomputer for experiment control and data analysis. The equipment is mounted on a common optical table to allow for the modular design of experiments which share a common source or detecter, providing an economy of scale. The system allows novel measurements of physical and chemical properties in ways which more clearly elucidate these properties as well as illustrate the power of modern optical techniques. In addition, students' experience with computer control and interfacing is being significantly enhanced. It is planned to describe the successful projects in the literature to provide impact beyond the local facility. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.