Entry Date:
October 30, 2007

Spectroscopy Lab: Research in Physical Science


Atomic and molecular spectroscopy has a venerable history at MIT, in large part nurtured by the Spectroscopy Laboratory. Researchers using the Laboratory's facilities develope novel laser-based spectroscopic techniques to explore the fundemental properties and interactions of atomic, molecular and material systems through research conducted in the MIT Laser Research Facility (LRF). Research programs conducted in the LRF seek to observe and quantify physical, chemical and biological systems with high resolution and sensitivity using a diverse collection of laser systems and spectroscopic techniques.

A core group of 10 MIT faculty members in chemistry, physics and engineering principal investigators, with their collaborators and associates, utilize the Laboratory’s facilities for a diverse collection of core and collaborative research projects.

Core Projects:
(*) Interferometric Measurement of Neural Activity
(*) Interferometry of Red Blood Cells
(*) Hydrogen Bond Dynamics of Water
(*) Multidimensional IR Spectroscopy
(*) High-Sensitivity Spectroscopy for Combustion and Environmental Science
(*) Spectroscopy of Carbon Nanotubes
(*) Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer
(*) Biological Spectroscopy
(*) Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
(*) Glass-forming Liquids and Glasses

Collaborative Projects:
(*) Photophysical Properties of Conjugated Polymers
(*) Single Molecule Detection
(*) Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy