Spectroscopic research at UChicago cuts across disciplinary boundaries and unites fields. Spectroscopy provides us with fundamental insights into the physcial processes that surround us.
Molecular Spectroscopy
Probing chemical and structural dynamics
Biophysics
Revealing the inner workings of Biology
Quantum Dynamics
Optical probes of quantum dynamics
Microscopy and Nanoscopy
Linking structure to function
Materials Science
Probing interfaces, carrier dynamics, and nanoscale order
Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Probing Chemistry's most fundamental dynamics
Surface Science
Surfaces and interfaces enable novel reactivity
Theory
Working at the interface between theory and experiment
Spectroscopy Faculty
UChicago spectroscopists span disciplinary boundaries sharing ideas across fields
Paul Alivisatos
Nanomaterials, Quantum Dots
David Awschalom
Quantum Information, Solid State Physics, Spintronics
Greg Engel
Ultrafast, Biophysics, Chemical Dynamics
Jingyi Fei
Single Molecule Microscopy, RNA Dynamics, Biophysics
Giulia Galli
Materials, Electronic Structure, Defect Dynamics
Laura Gagliardi
Quantum Chemistry, Multi-reference Transition Metal Chemistry
Unified by our desire to probe the most fundamental chemical, physical and biophysical processes, our faculty work collaboratively at the forefront of a wide array of scientific disciplines
Affiliations
Join Us
Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate students should apply to one of the doctoral programs listed below.
Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholars should apply directly to one of faculty listed above.
Prospective Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students should apply directly to the College.
Molecular Spectroscopy
Probing chemical and structural dynamics
Electronic and vibrational spectroscopy can be used to study the structural changes of molecules in chemical reactions, biophysical processes, and material transformations. Ultrafast spectroscopy allows us to visualize these processes in real time.
Learn more about Molecular Spectroscopy from the groups below.
Biophysics
Revealing the inner workings of Biology
Chemical reactions sustain life. Biological systems harness these chemical reactions and exercise control over entire reaction networks.
Learn more about Biophysics from the groups below.
Quantum Dynamics
Optical probes of quantum dynamics
Quantum correlations and entanglement can be used to achieve a sensitivity or resolution better than can be achieved using classical measurements. At the same time, manifestly coherent dynamics can affect relaxation and energy transport in complex systems.
Learn more about Quantum Dynamics from the groups below.
Microscopy and Nanoscopy
Linking structure to function
We can't understand what we can't see. Imaging with chemical specificity at or below the diffraction limit enables new probes of biology and materials.
Learn more about Microscopy and Nanoscopy from the groups below.
Materials Science
Probing interfaces, carrier dynamics, and nanoscale order
Surfaces, interfaces, and ordered phases imbue functional materials with their unique properties. We strive to engineer novel functional materials and develop the spectoscopic probes that enable us to see complex, emergent phenomena.
Learn more about Materials Science from the groups below.
Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Probing Chemistry's most fundamental dynamics
Laser spectroscopy allows scientists to probe the dynamics and properties of the materials — both biological and synthetic. As we develop new ways to probe these systems, we learn more about how to design and control the dynamics required to generate new functional materials.
Learn more about Ultrafast Spectroscopy from the groups below.
Surface Science
Surfaces and interfaces enable novel reactivity
We see to expand our understanding of interfacial phenomena at the molecular level. Our work spans fundamental knowledge discovery to applications such as energy systems and catalysis. We engage our science with an array of advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques including atom scattering, laser spectrosocpy, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopies.
Learn more about Surface Science from the groups below.
Theory
Working at the interface between theory and experiment
Alongside our experimental efforts, we develop, apply and explore new theoretical methods and models to understand complex emergent phenomena in functional materials. From biology to quantum materials to light harvesting and energy transport, we construct new ways to understand physical phenomena and interpret data. We also explore new strategies to extract more information from spectroscopic data including filtering, signal processing, and identifying new spectral signatures in our data..
