Professor Stevens will carry out detailed experimental measurements of fluorescence in liquids. These studies will require the acquisition and development of modern equipment to carry out the kinetic studies in a competitive manner. From the temperature dependence of measurable parameters, information on the nature of the various complexes that occur may be extracted from the experimental data. This approach has the possibility of distinguishing subtle, but possibly very commonly occurring, differences between bimolecular associates in liquids. The results may lead to a reexamination of concepts such as encounter complex, collision complex and exciplex. These types of experiments begin to probe a long standing problem of the true rate of quenching, once an excited state has been quenched diffusionally. An important component of this experimental program is not only the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for fluorescence measurements, but also the involvement of a very good undergraduate. At least two undergraduates will be involved in this work over the next two years and these students will have experiences comparable to those other students supported in the "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" activity.
