Tubergen Research Group

Welcome to the Tubergen Research Group in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Kent State University.  We investigate molecular structure and dynamics using high-resolution rotational spectroscopy.  Undergraduate students, graduate students, and others join our research projects.  If you are interested in high-resolution spectroscopy, talk to us to learn how you can get involved too.

Our cavity-based Fourier-transform microwave spectrometers have very high sensitivity – they are able to detect signals arising from 18O isotopologues in natural abundance (0.20%), and the 2.5-kHz resolution can separate even closely spaced spin-spin and nuclear quadrupole hyperfine transitions.  We use this instrumentation to learn about the conformational structures of small biological molecules, quantify molecular structural changes induced by the formation of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding networks, and explore how the quantum-mechanical tunneling of methyl rotors can be used to investigate both molecular structure and the local electronic environment.

Follow the Research link to learn more about our research interests.