Understanding the dynamics of complex systems requires the application of sophisticated experimental and theoretical techniques. The core experimental method used in our work is ultrafast spectroscopy, which provides a detailed picture of the chemical dynamics that take place following the absorption of a photon. We utilize a variety of techniques including time-resolved absorption, emission, and polarization anisotropy methods, as well as a non-linear spectroscopies and microscopies to study the dynamics on time scales ranging from femtoseconds to nanoseconds. We augment our ultrafast spectroscopic experiments with computer modeling (e.g. Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations), steady state absorption and emission spectroscopy, electrochemistry and electron microscopy to gain a complete picture of the relationship between the structure and function of a material at the microscopic level.

Nanoscale Materials: Qualitatively new paradigms for materials design and functionality will be realized when optical and photonic devices are pushed down to the nanoscale. Using a combination of ultrfast techniques, nonlinear microscopies and computer simulations, we are studing the flow of charge and energy in nanoscale systems and devices that are tens to hundreds of nanometers in size. Current efforts are directed at developing techniques to examine individual structures.
Molecular Assemblies: One approach to the development of functional building blocks for new devices and applications is to interconnect a series of molecular systems through a covalent network such as a polymer. We are using time-resolved emission and absorption techniques to study the flow of energy and charge through complex molecular assemblies. Spectroscopic observations are coupled with computer simulations to obtain a fundamental picture of the excited state dynamics.
excited State Dynamics: Our group is using femtosecond absorption and emission spectroscopies to study the excited state dynamics in functionalized compounds, including Ru(II) and Os(II) coordination complexes and other small oranic systems. We characterize in detail the relaxation processes (ISC, vibrational relaxation, solvent reorgnization) that follow photoexcitation, with the goal of understanding how one can control the flow of charge and energy within and amongst the molecular building blocks.