Elements of photochemical control through manipulation of structure and phase-shaping of laser fields. Explorations of photoinduced electron transfer in metal complexes and multiple exciton generation in quantum dots.

Joint Physical and Inorganic Divisional Seminar

Research in the Damrauer group aims to understand how charge and energy flow in complex condensed-phase molecules and materials following absorption of light. Adaptive femtosecond pulse shaping, a key experimental methodology used, has immense potential to control electronically, structurally, and reactively complex systems. However, its maturation into a tool for understanding as well as control will benefit tremendously from a multifaceted research program combining molecular design, synthesis, theory, and spectroscopy on all relevant time scales with and without control. In this talk I will highlight recent efforts to interrogate and control photochemical pathways in novel coordination complexes wherein internal motions are expected to modulate the rate of a photoinduced electron transfer reaction. We have hypothesized that photochemical control may be possible if adaptively shaped laser fields can manipulate these motions. In addition I will introduce recent experiments designed to test whether multiple exciton generation yields in lead-salt quantum dots is sensitive to the phase characteristics of an incident laser field and whether this can help us explore mechanisms for multiple carrier generation.

For more information contact Prof. David Sherrill (404-894-4037).