The Spectroscopy of Cold Molecules department develops and uses unique experimental techniques to control, collide and image individual molecules in the gas-phase.
Spectroscopy of Cold Molecules
Research
What happens when two molecules collide? How do chemical reactions occur and on what timescales? In which ways do molecules exchange or dissipate energy - and how are all of these fundamental processes influenced by the underlying molecular structure? Our research aims to answer these questions, focusing on inelastic molecular collisions, fundamental chemical processes at ultrafast timescales, and the understanding of chemical reactions on the molecular level.
Research methods
In our research, we use Stark and Zeeman decelerators, electrostatic deflectors and state selectors, ultrafast and free-electron laser sources, and charged-particle imaging detectors. These allow us to control properties such as the velocity, quantum state, and orientation of individual molecules in a molecular beam and enable the study of molecular processes in unexplored regimes and with unprecedented precision.
Contact information
Postal address
Postbus 90106500GL NIJMEGEN