Physical

Investigations in physical chemistry combine the tools of physics, chemistry and mathematics to uncover information about processes ranging from the immune response of the body to the structure and reactivity of semiconductor surfaces, from the dynamic motion of proteins to quantum control of chemical reactions and from the chemistry of the atmosphere to the chemistry of polymeric electronics.

Our studies use many techniques, including molecular beams, NMR and ESR spectroscopies, scanning probe microscopies, flow cytometry and Raman, non-linear, femtosecond and other laser-based spectroscopies. Many of the research topics in physical chemistry are interdisciplinary and pursued in affiliated research centers, which focus on diverse current topics such as nanoscale science and energy related materials. Our research is greatly enriched by our extensive shared facilities, including the Cornell NanoScale Facility (CNF) and the Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), as well as collaborations with colleagues in physics, engineering, biology and other research areas.