The use of laser technology in modern chemical research will be demonstrated through hands-on experimentation by undergraduate chemistry and chemical engineering students. Five experiments utilizing the laser system are planned. These experiments illustrate the applicability of laser techniques in photochemical kinetic studies and spectroscopy: Time-resolved emission spectrum of a donor-acceptor exciplex; two-photon molecular excitation; multiphoton ionization spectroscopy of molecular Rydberg states; laser optical characterization of electrode surfaces; and laser induced fluorescence in trace analysis. Inclusion of these experiments into the instructional laboratory program promotes the goal of providing hands-on experience for chemistry undergraduates with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment at the forefront of modern chemical research. This ILI award from the Chemistry Shared Instrumentation Program will help the Department of Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to acquire laser instrumentation that will be used to enhance undergraduate laboratory instruction.
