Dr. Myers, although just starting on her own is already a recognized expert on the subject of this research. She plans to use absolute resonance Raman intensities and excitation profile bandshapes to explore solvent effects on excited state solute energy levels and lifetimes. These studies are important both in evaluating theories of resonance Raman scattering and in helping to understand solution effects. Dr. Myers will measure the ultraviolet resonance Raman excitation profiles, absolute cross sections and depolarization ratios for several small molecules like aniline, ammonia, carbon disulfide, and methyl iodide in both the vapor phase and in solutions of both conventional solvents and liquefied rare gases. The experiments will exploit the sensitivity of absolute resonance Raman intensities and excitation profile bandshapes to solvent- induced broadening mechanisms. The results will aid in evaluating theories of resonance Raman scattering in solution as well as dynamics of solvent-solute interactions.
