Optical methods in chemistry

CH-417 / 3 credits

Teacher: Bostedt Christoph

Language: English

Summary

Introduction and application of photon based tools for chemical sciences: from basic concepts to optical and x-ray lasers

Content


Part I: Optical domain

  • Introduction and historical perspective
  • Ray, wave, and beam optics
  • Electromagnetic waves and spectrum
  • Photons and atoms
  • The principles of lasers and amplification
  • Laser systems and applications
  • Laser spectroscopy
  • Non-linear optics
  • Ultrafast spectroscopy

Part II: X-ray domain

  • X-rays and their interactions with matter
  • Valence vs innershell spectroscopy
  • X-ray diffraction and imaging
  • Laboratory x-ray tools
  • Synchrotron radiation sources
  • Free-electron lasers

 

Keywords

Optics, Lasers, X-rays, Ultrafast, Spectroscopy, Diffraction

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Quantum chemistry, General physics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Describe optical concepts in the wave and photon picture
  • Design optical setups and experiments
  • Explain laser amplification and laser systems
  • Explain laboratory and accelerator based X-ray sources
  • Work out / Determine geometric structure and elemental composition from x-ray data

Teaching methods

 

Lectures and exercises

 

Expected student activities

Work on exercises and course material at home

Assessment methods

Final grade consists out of 75% written final exam and 25% of the weekly exercise/homework

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes

Resources

Bibliography

Saleh Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics

Nielsen Mc Morrow, Elements of Modern X-ray Physics

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Optical methods in chemistry
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Optical methods in chemistry
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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