David K. Lewis DUE 9551065 Connecticut College FY1995 $45,000 New London, CT 06320 ILI - Instrumentation Project: Chemistry Title: A Versatile Laser-Based Experimental Setup for the Chemistry Curriculum A versatile experimental setup is used to introduce modern laser-based physical chemistry to the undergraduate curriculum. Requiring minimum reconfiguration to switch between different experiments, the system can be used to demonstrate a variety of concepts, such as laser-induced fluorescence, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, Doppler broadening, photodissociation, radiative lifetime, Boltzmann distribution, resonance Raman spectroscopy, and computerized data acquisition. Six new experiments have been designed around this setup for incorporation into upper-level physical chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and instrumentation laboratories. In addition, a program of original research projects for majors has been developed based on the setup. The project can serve as model for schools wishing to modernize their curriculum in a broad, yet cost-effective way. Laboratory "handouts" and descriptions of experiments and student research projects will be generated during the project and disseminated in journals, meetings, and on the Internet.
