Key areas are the study of molecules near to the threshold for fragmentation, molecular electronic and geometric structure and its influence on formation and dissociation processes, the reactivity of molecular ions and their creation by photoionisation, and intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution. Theoretical and computationally based research is centred on van der Waals interactions between molecules and their effect on the structure and spectroscopy of gases, liquids, solids, solutions and molecules at interfaces. The main areas of activity are computation of the magnitude and direction of intermolecular forces, and computer simulations of solvation and biochemical processes. Research in astronomy and astrophysical chemistry is focussed on observational and laboratory spectroscopy of molecules and dust found in stellar, circumstellar and interstellar media. Observations are made with telescopes in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared and provide new chemical and physical insight into regions of importance in molecular astrophysics.
Some emphasis is placed on the assignment of 'unidentified' optical and infrared spectra.
Dr. June McCombie.