Listed from Left to Right: Anna Fedor, Keith Oppenheim, Tanieka Motley,
Michael Kamrath, Dr. Tim Korter, and Dr. Damian Allis
The research efforts of the Korter group focus on the application of terahertz (THz) spectroscopy in the investigation of problems of chemical interest.
Terahertz spectroscopy is vibrational (and sometimes rotational) spectroscopy in the far-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum between the mid-infrared and microwave regions. We generally consider the THz region as spanning 0.1 to 6 THz. There are a variety of units used to describe THz radiation but these relationships are most useful: 1 THz ≈ 33.33 cm-1 ≈ 300 micrometers. Therefore, in terms of wavenumber units, our experimental range is 3 to 200 cm-1 and in terms of wavelength, 3 mm to 50 micrometers.
The types of molecular motions that are probed with THz radiation are global motions involving the entire structure. Terahertz spectroscopy offers a unique method for directly mapping the conformational landscapes of flexible molecules and clusters. In particular, torsional vibrations and hydrogen-bond bending and stretching are the subjects of research projects in the Korter laboratory. We utilize THz spectroscopy to construct the intramolecular and intermolecular potential energy surfaces which govern the shape and thereby the function of molecules.
Last Modified August 11, 2006
Site Maintained by Anna Fedor (amjose01@syr.edu)