Laser Theory, Spectroscopy, and Kinetics Equipment for Undergraduate Instruction

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Laser applications impact virtually every branch of science. In chemistry, the laser has revolutionized the fields of high resolution spectroscopy and molecular reaction dynamics. However, relatively few institutions offer laboratory instruction using lasers at the undergraduate level. A sequence of laser experiments is being taught in the Physical Chemistry curriculum for chemistry majors at this institution. The experimental sequence has been carefully devised to teach students the underlying principles of laser operation and to introduce them to useful and exciting applications of lasers in chemistry. In one experiment, students develop a basic understanding of the essential components in a laser by "building" a helium-neon laser and characterizing the emitted laser beam. In a subsequent experiment, students obtain a laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of iodine with a pulsed dye laser. This experiment introduces students to a tunable laser and demonstrates the advantage of frequency resolution when using a laser for spectroscopy. In another experiment, students use the same pulsed dye laser system to measure electronic energy transfer rates from pyrimidine to various buffer gases. This experiment vividly demonstrates the temporal resolution afforded by laser measurement of dynamic processes. The results of this project are being communicated to the general scientific educational community through presentations at professional meetings, and in teaching journal articles. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.