Description

These lasers allow us to observe ultrafast processes which reflect the photostability of a molecule. With them we have been able to see how and why certain pigments have lasted on art for millennia, from the ubiquitous indigo to the precious Royal Purple. In this way, we study the science of art!

Pictured are the workhorses of our laser spectroscopy lab: our picosecond laser systems, pulsing such that the laser beam is only 'on' for less than a billionth of the time, yet still so powerful that the beam is easily visible when scattered by smoke or vapor. This is shown here with the two beams in a state of misalignment, awaiting correction such that the beams overlap spatially within the instrument.
The lasers are just one component of our spectroscopy technique, which also requires operation and upkeep of vacuum instrumentation, precise timing schemes, and mass spectrometry equipment. The result is ultra high-resolution spectra obtained from milligrams of material, making our technique ideal for the study of rare and precious samples.