This Americas Program award will support continuation of a research collaboration between Dr. Gary L. McPherson of Tulane University and Dr I. A. Kawha of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. The research focuses on the luminescence spectroscopy and excited state dynamics of a series of novel macrocyclic complexes containing pairs of rare earth ions. Although the luminescence properties of a number of the macrocyclic rare earth complexes have been examined, many of the most important features of excited state behavior have not been explored. This project will provide valuable new information about these complexes and their interactions. Preparation and structural characterization of these unusual materials will be accomplished by Dr. Kawha at the University of the West Indies, while the luminescence of the materials will be examined in the laser spectroscopy laboratories at Tulane. This project will also involve undergraduate and graduate students from both institutions.
