Chemical physics is the study of the structure and dynamics of simple molecules. In the Liu lab, we aim to advance our understanding of and control over chemical processes at the quantum level. Using quantum science techniques including laser cooling, optical/ion trapping, and coherent control, we create samples of molecules at temperatures approaching absolute zero and in user-defined quantum states of their internal degrees of freedom (e.g., rotation, vibration, spin). These so-called “ultracold molecules” serve as an ideal platform for spectroscopy and reaction studies, promising to reveal structural and dynamical information which are typically washed out in experiments under ambient conditions.

Learn more about our planned research projects here:

• Ultracold reaction dynamics with isotopes of Lithium
• An ion-neutral hybrid trap for precision chemistry and physics

Advantages of ultracold molecules for spectroscopy and chemical reaction studies

Characteristic energy scales of various degrees of freedom of a diatomic molecule expressed in equivalent temperature values