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Atomic and Molecular Physics

Reactions that affect different molecules provide a basic understanding of physics at the atomic level. This research may yield new materials and demonstrate the conditions for life in space.

The fundamental characteristics of atoms and molecules are studied in advanced facilities, where they are accelerated to very high speeds and made to collide with electrons. This research has a long history at the University. With the new instrument DESIREE in the Department of Physics, it is possible to accelerate and study atoms in extremely cold environments close to absolute zero temperature. The instrument was developed with funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council.

 
This expertise is crucial to research on how atoms and molecules behave in the cold universe. Many different substances take form in giant gas clouds under the influence of cosmic radiation. Could the building blocks of life also be created in these clouds? The study of the conditions for how large molecules can be constructed and become these building blocks is valuable to the interdisciplinary research in astrobiology at the University.
 
Another successful field is the study of reactions using very rapid laser pulses. They are also used to selectively affect and study atoms and molecules. Researchers in the Department of Physics are involved in developing a new powerful so-called X-ray laser in collaboration with leading laboratories in the U.S. and Germany. With this technology, it is possible to study materials and biomolecules on timescales down to one millionth of a second, and with a resolution that can discern individual atoms and molecules.
 

Web editor: Paul Parker
Last updated: November 23, 2011
Source: Communications Office

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