Sum Frequency Generation Imaging of Patterns on Surfaces

化学系的分析和表面化学（ASC）项目将支持休斯顿大学Steven Baldelli教授的研究项目。Baldelli教授的研究项目主要集中在和频生成（SFG）显微镜的发展，该显微镜能够基于吸附物的振动光谱在分子水平上研究化学图案表面。SFG是一种表面敏感技术，以前被用来获得分子吸附到表面时的结构和取向。巴尔代利博士和他的学生将把这种光谱方法转化为一种功能强大的成像工具，其特点是时间分辨率为20秒，空间分辨率为1微米。这将使该小组能够获得表面的详细化学图，其中包含有关吸附质键合、局部电场、化学反应性和表面物种形成的信息。使用SFG显微镜可以对聚合物、薄膜和涂层等样品进行详细分析。从细胞表面和组织等生物样本中获取分子信息也将成为可能。该研究将为希望在化学和材料科学领域工作的学员提供良好的教育机会。

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the research program of Prof. Steven Baldelli of the University of Houston. Prof. Baldelli's' research program focuses on the development of sum frequency generation (SFG) microscopy with the capability to investigate chemically patterned surfaces at the molecular level based on the vibrational spectroscopy of the adsorbates. SFG is surface sensitive technique that has been used previously to obtain the structure and orientation of molecules when adsorbed to surfaces. Dr. Baldelli and his students will convert this spectroscopic method to a powerful imaging tool characterized with 20 psec temporal resolution and 1 micron spatial resolution. This will enable the group to obtain a detailed chemical map of the surface with information on adsorbate bonding, local electric fields, chemical reactivity, and speciation across the surface. Samples such as polymers, thin films and coatings could be analyzed in great detail using SFG microscopy. It will also be possible to obtain molecular information from biological samples like cell surfaces and tissues. The study will provide an excellent educational opportunity for trainees desiring work at the interface of chemistry and material science.