Physics Dept Seminar

February 19, Wednesday (*SPECIAL DAY*)

From Biomolecules to Porous Materials: Terahertz Spectroscopy for Molecular Innovation

Dr. Johanna Koelbel

Brown Univ.

(Optics, Host: Federici)

Time: 11:45am-12:45pm with 11:30am teatime

Room: FMH 408 (*SPECIAL ROOM*)

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, including terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), offers a powerful window into low-frequency vibrational modes and molecular interactions in complex systems. Operating in the range of 0.1 to 10 THz (3 to 333 cm⁻¹ or 0.4 to 40 meV), these techniques, when combined with quantum mechanical simulations, provide insights into the dynamics and structure of materials. This talk will explore applications of THz spectroscopy in studying biomolecules, crystallization, and porous materials, concluding with recent advancements in nonlinear THz effects and their potential for high-power applications.

THz-TDS has been applied to pharmaceutical mixtures, providing insights into how water affects protein aggregation, solvation, and drug stability. Studies of glycerol-water mixtures further linked terahertz dynamics to critical challenges in pharmaceutical formulation and storage. Research on crystallization processes demonstrated how THz spectroscopy can monitor phase transitions and structural evolution. Additionally, porous materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which hold promise for gas storage and molecular sensing, have been investigated using THz spectroscopy. These studies highlight the sensitivity of vibrational modes to very subtle structural changes. Expanding beyond the linear regime, nonlinear THz spectroscopy has explored mechanisms of intense field interactions to advance high-power THz applications.

Together, this body of work underscores the versatility of terahertz spectroscopy as a tool for addressing challenges in physical chemistry, biophysics, and material science, enabling breakthroughs in drug development, molecular sensing, and sustainable materials.