Abstract

First Annual WSU Physics and Astronomy
MINI-Colloquia
THREE GREAT TALKS 

	How a UV Excimer Laser Eats Up Teflon Sharon John

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE – known as Teflon) (C2F4)n is a model fluorocarbon polymer with unique physical and electrical properties.  In this work, we determine the mechanisms responsible for the superior photon etching under l = 157-nm F2-excimer laser irradiation.  We show a wealth of phenomena that occurs due to the interactions of electrons, ions, and neutral molecules released into vacuum by this laser exposure.

	Doping the Golden Buckyballs Lei-Ming Wang

The discovery of unique catalytic effects of gold nanoparticles on oxide substrate has stimulated a flurry of research activities on the structures and properties of free gold nanoclusters.  We have been investigating small clusters of singly charged gold, e.g., Au16–, using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory.  In this talk, I present studies investigating the influence of doping such clusters with single atoms of other metals to form M@Au16– (M = Cu, Ag, Zn, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Fe, Co, Ni)

	Developing Better Polymeric Nonlinear Optical Materials Juefei Zhou

The performance of an optical device depends on the efficiency of the nonlinear-optical material. An ideal nonlinear optical material should have a large hyperpolarizability (which is responsible for a broad range of phenomena) and be resistance to optically-induced damaged. Based on numerical optimization simulations, we propose a new paradigm for fabricating molecules with better nonlinear response. Our paradigm has been used as a guide by researchers to identify and characterize a record-high intrinsic hyperpolarizability; and, our observation of reversible photodegradation and laser hardening could be useful for improving a material's endurance to high optical intensities.

Come meet the speakers over coffee and refreshments from 3:45-4:10 pm in the foyer on floor G above the lecture hall.   All Welcome.  Host: Tom Dickinson