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What's new?
Have a look at the Latest news ... and more page to keep up to date with the most recent developments
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Molecules and Light
… is the leading theme of our research. We use light to study the structure of molecules and to understand how structure and function are related. To reach this goal we employ several strategies. Starting from isolated molecules in the gas phase that we study with high-resolution molecular beam (single and double resonance) techniques based on fluorescence and multiphoton ionization, we answer questions as to how the conformational landscape looks like in ground and electronically excited states and how changes in electronic charge distribution induce changes in structure and functionality. We then study the effects of a medium by microsolvation where we dress molecules in a molecular beam with a controlled number of solvent molecules, and look how the properties of the individual molecules are affected, ultimately relating these results to molecular properties under low-resolution solution conditions. We complement these experiments with quantum chemical calculations that not only provide us with a solid basis for their interpretation but also suggest new experiments and ways to optimize functional properties. One of the great challenges in the field - and one that we have met successfully - is to extend the complexity of molecules that can be studied in this way from merely model chromophores to genuinely prototypical systems in molecular photobiology or for applications within, for example, molecular nanotechnology. Structure, and thereby function, is not a static molecular property; it is a property that can be influenced by external stimuli (photons, electrons, etc.), and under non-isolated conditions it is constantly subject to external interactions. We develop and apply new methods based on light to observe structure on time scales ranging from femtoseconds to seconds, ultimately aiming to control the directionality of structure changes through manipulation of intra- and intermolecular interactions in functional materials. We thususe the interaction between light and molecules to understand, design, and control molecular systems, and seek to cover the complete trajectory from conception of new molecular systems to their application in functional materials. Our research can therefore certainly not be associated exclusively with one of the traditional areas within chemistry or physics, but supersedes their boundaries. Scientific areas that we work in concern: - vibronic coupling
- electron and proton transfer reactions
- polymer electronics
- photoactive proteins
- supramolecular assemblies
- functionalized photoactive surfaces
- pharmaceutical applications
Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences
Molecular Photonics Group
List of publications |
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Onderzoek uitgelicht
Een meer populaire beschrijving van het onderzoek dat bij Molecular Photonics wordt gedaan wordt gegeven in een van de 'Onderzoek uitgelicht' afleveringen. A more popular description of the research in Molecular Photonics can be found in one of the 'Focus on Research' issues.
Onderzoek uitgelicht week 25 2008
Focus on research week 25 2008 |
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Vacancies
We regularly have vacancies on new projects. Have a look at the Vacancies page, and make your choice!
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