Research

This page provides a summary of the various research topics that are actively tackled in collaboration with several other laboratories on and off the Boulder campus.

Research topics

Organic aerosols: Organic aerosols are emerging as a crucial and complex issue in atmospheric science. In 1999, Ellison, Tuck, and Vaida proposed a model for nascent marine aerosols. This inverted micelle model for organic aerosols was extended into biology. Read more...
Photoelectron spectroscopy of organic anions: Electron Affinities (EAs) are measured by bombarding a target ion, [R]^-, with a light beam of known frequency and monitoring the photodestruction of [R]^- or the appearance of the scattered electrons. Read more...
Optical spectroscopy of matrix isolated organic radicals: Organic radicals play a crucial role as reactive intermediates in the combustion chemistry of fossil fuels. We have recently developed a hyperthermal nozzle, in which we produce radicals by flash pyrolysis. Read more...
Some of the radicals we have studied are:
    Allyl (C₃H₅)
    Methylperoxyl (CH₃OO)
    Phenyl (C₆H₅)
Thermochemistry: Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study the spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties of organic radicals. Bond dissociation energies of organic molecules are measured and calculated. Read more...