Dr. Marcos Dantus
Michigan State University
Controlling Nonlinear Optical Processes, Vibrational and Electronic Excitation, and Strong Field Chemistry
102 Cardwell Hall
February 25, 2013
4:30 p.m.
Control of nonlinear optical processes using shaped laser pulses has led to a number of technical advances in pulse characterization, compression, shaping, metrology, and fiber laser design. These improvements have then been used to improve biomedical imaging, standoff detection, and gas phase thermometry. The fragmentation of molecules under strong fields has led to analytical methods for small molecule identification and to advanced techniques for proteomic analysis. Coherent control of chemical reactions under strong fields has been elusive given the large number of states that are involved, and the fact that one or more electrons are ejected during the excitation process. This talk will discuss our latest research on strong field chemistry, the search for signatures for vibrational and electronic coherence in chemical reactions occurring under strong fields, and their coherent control.
Refreshments in CW 119 at 4:15 p.m.