CAREER: Laser Spectroscopic Studies of the Dynamics of Recombinative Desorption and Bimolecular Surface Reactions

这个由分析和表面化学项目支持的教师早期职业发展（Career）项目，侧重于阐明固体表面上一些分子过程的机制和动力学：扩散、重组脱附和双分子反应。齐默尔曼教授和他在罗格斯大学的学生将利用解吸物质的状态分辨光学光谱来探测许多气固系统的动力学，包括硅和金属表面上的氢，以及过渡金属和金属氧化物表面上一氧化碳的催化氧化。这个职业研究项目还将进一步探索在本科物理课程中使用“同伴指导”，作为克服学生对物理的负面偏见的一种手段。齐默尔曼教授还将为物理学本科生开发基于激光的实验室实验。阐明小分子吸附在固体表面上的化学反应机理是提高许多技术上重要工艺性能的关键因素。齐默尔曼教授和他在罗格斯大学的学生将使用光谱学来研究与催化剂和微电子工业相关的表面化学动力学。本职业项目将为学生提供具有广泛意义的化学基础知识。本科生将从齐默尔曼教授在物理课程中引入的教学和实验室创新中受益匪浅。

This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, focuses on the elucidation of the mechanisms and dynamics of a number of molecular processes at solid surfaces: diffusion, recombinative desorption, and bimolecular reactions. Professor Zimmerman and his students at Rutgers University will utilize state-resolved optical spectroscopy of desorbed species to probe the dynamics of a number of gas-solid systems including hydrogen on silicon and metal surfaces and the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide at transition metal and metal oxide surfaces. This CAREER research project will also seek to further exploit the use of `Peer Instruction` in the undergraduate physics curriculum as a means of overcoming negative preconceptions that students have about physics. Professor Zimmerman will also develop laser-based laboratory experiments for physics undergraduates. The elucidation of chemical reaction mechanisms of small molecules adsorbed onto solid surfaces is a key element in improving the performance of a number technologically important processes. Professor Zimmerman and his students at Rutgers University will use optical spectroscopy to study the dynamics of surface chemistry relevant to the catalyst and microelectronics industries. This CAREER project will provide students with a fundamental knowledge of chemistry with broadranging implications. Undergraduate students will benefit greatly by both the pedagogical and laboratory innovations that Professor Zimmerman will instill in the physics curriculum.