A general goal of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics is to interpret fundamental, quantum mechanical principles from light-matter interactions in isolated systems. My research is focused on probing and controlling quantum dynamics, specifically studying the evolution of photo-induced chemical processes in atomic, molecular, and nano systems as a function of time.
In atoms, one can directly measure correlations between multiple electrons and a single ionic core. For molecules, the dynamics of the individual atoms in the process must be considered, hence providing a means to test the limitations of the standard Born-Oppenheimer model for nonadiabatic transitions. Furthermore, weakly-bound nano systems add a new layer of complexity where individual atoms and molecules can interact with neighboring particles, bridging the gap between isolated and condensed systems.
With the development of ultrafast light sources, such as lab-based tabletop lasers and facility-based free-electron lasers (FELs), we can investigate inter- and intramolecular processes in the time domain, thus mapping out their dynamic evolution. In that regard, it is possible to “make a molecular movie” of the ultrafast reactions in cold, controlled quantum systems.
Overall, this type of research plays an integral role in understanding how charge and energy can be transferred in systems of varying sizes. In particular, a complete understanding of the mechanisms and timescales of a particular process can reveal how efficient it is in nature, which can have broad applications from donor-acceptor systems in organic semiconductors to radiation damage and radical formation in biological systems.