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Research Interests: Gas-Phase Molecular Fragmentation Mechanisms
As part of my graduate and postdoctoral
work, I co-authored 36 publications in synchrotron radiation
research involving experiments in gas-phase core/valence
photoelectron spectroscopy aimed at elucidation of electron
correlation effects. I have worked at 5 synchrotron facilities since
1982: SSRL (Stanford), SURF-II (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD), NSLS
(Brookhaven), Aladdin (Stoughton, WI), and SuperACO (Orsay,
France).
In 1991, I established an undergraduate
research program at Carleton with the goal of understanding
general principles that govern gas-phase molecular fragmentation
dynamics induced by soft X-rays. After collaborations at NSLS in
1991-1992 with Prof. David Hanson (SUNY, Stony Brook), in 1994 we
completed construction of a new system capable of measuring one
electron and several positive ions in coincidence, including a newly
designed time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer with ion lensing.
Multi-dimensional mass spectroscopy experiments were carried out at
Aladdin in summers 1994-1995. A manuscript on perfluorocyclobutane
(C4F8) is in preparation.
In 1997-1998, I did sabbatical research
part-time in Prof.
Jim Weisshaar's group at the U. of Wisconsin, Madison. We
investigated kinetics and mechanisms of metal reactions with alkenes
(Zr + ethene). We used Nd:YAG and eximer lasers to prepare Zr by
laser ablation and ionize reactants and products for kinetic analysis
by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. Flow tube dynamics were
carefully adjusted to optimize reaction of ground-state metals. This
work resulted in a publication.
My experimental research program was "in
storage" for 2 years due to my sabbatical, the renovation of
Mudd Hall, and a medical leave. Since my sabbatical, I have been
trying to redirect my research toward atmospheric chemistry. We hope
to find reactions and processes we can probe in lab that utilize the
unique capabilities of our multi-dimensional mass spectrometer.
In summer '99, Aidan Gromoll ('00) and Gail Teitzel ('00) helped to rebuild the coincidence experiment and returned it to full operation for the first time in 2 years. In summer '00, Victor Sussman ('01) and Jon Fritz ('01) extended the capabilities of our mass spectrometer detection system, making it significantly more versatile as we shift to experiments in atmospheric chemistry. Victor and Jon improved the ion detector mass resolution and tuned our electron gun (the source of input energy for fragmentation) to lower energies. They also worked hard to identify the origin of some unusual "noise" peaks in our spectrum at low times of flight.
I have also maintained connection to collaborators from my postdoctoral and NIST work on valence-shell photoionization and polarized fluorescence in small gaseous molecules. Two publications came out from this work recently (in 1997, and 2000).
Past & Current Group Members
Sixteen undergraduates (chemistry and physics majors) have been
involved in all stages of this work. Since 1992, my research students
have given a total of 15 research talks at meetings like the National
Conference on Undergraduate Research, the ACM Minority Students and
Careers Workshop, the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical
Physics meeting of APS, the Minnesota Section of ACS, and the Pew
Meeting for Undergraduate Research. Of my 16 graduated students, 8
are in chemistry/physics/engineering graduate or postdoctoral
positions, 2 are in medical school or practicing medicine, 1 is
teaching chemistry at a liberal arts college, 2 are teaching K-12
chemistry/science or working toward that, 1 is doing work with
AmeriCorps, and 2 are employed in the private sector.
|
Summer |
Students |
Current Position |
|
1991 |
Michelle Bayne
Shizuka Hsieh |
M.D., Family Physician, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Smith College, Chemistry Department, Asst. Professor , after a 1-year teaching job at Oberlin College |
|
1992 |
Shizuka Hsieh
David Vosen
Greg Harbers |
Smith College, Chemistry Department, Asst. Professor, after a 1-year teaching job at Oberlin College
Teaching 5-12 chemistry, Marshall School, Duluth, MN
U.C. Berkeley, Graduate Program in BioEngineering with Kevin Healy |
|
1993 |
David Vosen
Lou Madsen
Greg Harbers
Iram Qidwai |
Teaching 5-12 chemistry, Marshall School, Duluth, MN
Graduate school in Chemistry at CalTech with Daniel Weitekamp. Now doing a postdoc at U. North Carolina Chapel Hill in Ed Samulski's group.
U.C. Berkeley, Graduate Program in BioEngineering with Kevin Healy
Medical student at Stanford Medical School |
|
1994 |
Greg Harbers
Lou Madsen
Nadine Czoschke
Kris Poduska
Andy King |
U.C. Berkeley, Graduate Program in BioEngineering with Kevin Healy
Graduate school in Chemistry at CalTech with Daniel Weitekamp. Now doing a postdoc at U. North Carolina Chapel Hill in Ed Samulski's group.
Graduate school in Atmospheric Chemistry, U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Richard Kamen's group. Previously did 2 years in the Peace Corps in Gabon, and worked at Pillsbury in the Twin Cities.
Postdoc reasearch at York U. (Canada) with Sylvie Morin, after graduate school in Physics at Cornell U.
Recently got Ph.D. in Chemistry from U. Wisconsin, Madison with Fleming Crim. Now in Bloomington Illinois taking classes for his K-12 teaching certificate. |
|
1995 |
Greg Harbers
Melissa Kido
Chris Nelson
Allie Albrecht |
U.C. Berkeley, Graduate Program in BioEngineering with Kevin Healy
Graduate school in Chemistry, U. or Oregon, Geri Richmond's group
Location unknown
Completed graduate school in Chemistry, U. Colorado Boulder in summer 2001 with David Jonas. Allie is now working at Coherent Inc. developing lasers for ophthalmic applications. |
|
1996 |
Kris Poduska
Melissa Kido |
Postoc research at York U. (Canada) with Sylvie Morin, after graduate school in Physics at Cornell University
Graduate school in Chemistry, U. of Oregon, Geri Richmond's group |
|
1997 |
Melissa Kido (part time) |
Graduate school in Chemistry, U. of Oregon, Geri Richmond's group |
|
1999 |
Gail Teitzel
M. Aidan Gromoll |
Graduate school in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University
Au paire in Hanau, Germany for 2000-2001. Taking classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during 2001-2002 and preparing to apply to medical school. |
|
2000 |
Victor Sussman
Jonathan Fritz |
Graduate school in Chemistry at the U. of Minnesota with John Ellis
Planning for graduate study in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering. Currently working with Americorps. |
Funding
My group has been supported by the National Science Foundation (1992 NYI Award and Women's Planning Grant), the Petroleum Research Fund of ACS, Research Corporation, and Carleton College.
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Tricia A.
Ferrett.
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