ULTRAFAST SPECTROSCOPY GROUP
Observation and Control of the Excited State Dynamics of Condensed Phase Molecules by Advanced Spectroscopy Using Ultrashort Optical Pulses
Korenobu Matsuzaki
Tracking the molecular dynamics from the electronic and structural viewpoints is essential for deep understanding of chemical reactions. To this end, we develop new ultrafast spectroscopic methods based on basic knowledge on the light-matter interaction and state-of-the-art laser technology. Using these advanced spectroscopy, we aim to observe, understand, and control new fundamental phenomena of reactive molecules.
Research outline
Elucidating the dynamics of chemical reactions is essential to achieving a deep understanding of the processes involved. With this idea in mind, we study the dynamics of photoexcited molecules via a variety of time-resolved spectroscopic methods utilizing ultrashort laser pulses. We develop new spectroscopic methods based on state-of-the-art laser technology and aim to observe, understand, and control new fundamental phenomena of reactive molecules. Especially for ultrafast reactions, it is key to observe and “visualize” the continuous motion of nuclei (structural change) throughout the reaction. Therefore, we study the “instantaneous” structures of the reacting molecules by advanced multi-pulse experiments, and try to determine the structure of the transition state that plays crucial roles in chemical reactions.
Projects
Ultrashort pulse generation and multi-color time-resolved spectrometers
Observation of coherent nuclear motion in ultrafast photochemical reactions
Structural tracking of reacting molecules by femtosecond time-domain Raman spectroscopy
Ultrafast excited state dynamics of metal complexes
Members
Korenobu Matsuzaki (group leader)
Tsukasa Takanashi
Li Liu
Chun-Fu Chang
Selected publications
- P. Kumar; H. Kuramochi; S. Takeuchi; T. Tahara
Time-domain observation of surface-enhanced coherent Raman scattering with 105-106 enhancement
J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 6305 – 6311 (2020). - H. Kuramochi; S. Takeuchi; M. Iwamura; K. Nozaki; T. Tahara
Tracking photoinduced Au–Au bond formation through transient terahertz vibrations observed by femtosecond time-domain Raman spectroscopy
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 19296 – 19303 (2019). - S. Tahara; H. Kuramochi; S. Takeuchi; T. Tahara
Protein dynamics preceding photoisomerization of the retinal chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin revealed by deep-UV femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy
J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 10, 5422 – 5427 (2019). - H. Kuramochi; S. Takeuchi; H. Kamikubo; M. Kataoka; T. Tahara
Fifth-order time-domain Raman spectroscopy of photoactive yellow protein for visualizing vibrational coupling in its excited state
Sci. Adv. 5, eaau4490 (2019). - H. Kuramochi; S. Takeuchi; K. Yonezawa; H. Kamikubo; M. Kataoka; T. Tahara
Probing the early stages of photoreception in photoactive yellow protein with ultrafast time-domain Raman spectroscopy
Nat. Chem. 9, 660 – 666 (2017).