Laser

Photodissociation Dynamics

Our research in the field of photodissociation dynamics uses experimental and computational methods to examine the fundamental mechanisms of fragmentation of molecules following absorption of UV light.  We study isolated molecules in the gas phase using molecular beam and photofragment translational spectroscopy methods and compare with the results of ultrafast time-resolved experiments on photodissociation of molecules in solution to learn about the ways in which a liquid environment modifies the photochemical dynamics.   We seek to identify thematic ideas in photodissociation, such as the central role of (n/π)σ* dissociative states, non-adiabatic pathways mediated by conical intersections between electronic states, and control of photochemical outcomes by chemical substitution.  Further details of these areas of activity can be found in the panels below.