State-resolved Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Chemical Transients

位于博尔德的科罗拉多大学的大卫·内斯韦尔获得了化学系化学结构、动力学和机制项目的一个奖项的支持，以研究化学瞬变的状态分辨光谱和动力学。 该实验方案的总体目标有三个方面：i）利用高灵敏度直接吸收红外激光方法研究狭缝超声放电中的喷射冷却自由基和基本分子离子，ii）增强这些光谱工具用于气体-离子溶液界面处的量子态分辨碰撞研究，以及iii）利用时间分辨荧光显微镜方法在单分子水平上研究折叠/解折叠动力学。高活性、寿命极短的分子种类对于许多过程是重要的，从海洋边界的大气化学到星际介质中的化学。此外，该项目涉及使用单分子光谱学来研究RNA分子的折叠和展开动力学，这对我们理解许多生物过程很重要。 一个不同的个人群体参与了研究，包括妇女和代表性不足的少数民族。 PI也是“CU奇才”科学推广计划的主任，该计划为小学和中学生组织动手讲座/演示。

David Nesbitt of the University of Colorado at Boulder is supported by an award from the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanism program in the Chemistry division to study state-resolved spectroscopy and dynamics of chemical transients. The overall goals of this experimental program are threefold: i) to exploit high sensitivity direct absorption IR laser methods for study of jet-cooled radicals and fundamental molecular ions in slit supersonic discharges, ii) to augment these spectroscopic tools for quantum state-resolved collision studies at gas-ionic solution interfaces, and iii) to utilize time-resolved fluorescence microscopy methods for study of folding/unfolding kinetics at the single molecule level.Highly reactive, very-short lived molecular species are important for many processes, ranging from atmospheric chemistry at the marine boundary to chemistry in the interstellar media. Additionally, this project involves using single molecular spectroscopy to study the kinetics of folding and unfolding of RNA molecules which is important to our understanding of many biological processes. A diverse group of individuals are involved the research including women and underrepresented minorities. The PI is also the Director of the "CU Wizards" Scientific Outreach program which organizes hands-on lecture/demonstrations for elementary and middle school students.