Professor Lasse Jensen
Professor Lasse Jensen
Department of Chemistry
Pennsylvania State University
Host: Professor Renee Frontiera
Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopy in Inhomogeneous Electric Fields
Over the last few years, we have developed new theories and computational methods for understanding vibrational spectroscopy of molecules near metal surfaces. Specifically, we have developed a new computational toolbox for simulating surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy in inhomogeneous electric field. This kind of spectroscopy relies on the strong localized electric near-field at the surface of plasmonic metal nanoparticles. Our work has shown that it is possible to resolve intricate molecule vibrations with atomic resolution, which requires that the near-field is confined to a few Ångstroms. Under these conditions, the traditional selection rules breaks down and simulations are required for understanding the spectroscopy. Here, we will discuss our latest developments in understanding surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy in inhomogeneous electric fields.
Professor Jensen
Professor Jensen's research lies in the field of theoretical chemistry and involves developing new methods for simulations of metal-molecule interactions. Researchers in his group seek to use computer simulations to gain a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry. They are particularly interested in understanding the optical properties of molecules at the interface of plasmonic nanomaterials. The theoretical and computational methods developed and applied in our group combine electronic structure theory and electrodynamics to describe light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.
