Research interests
Dave’s current research interests span the interface between physics and chemistry, employing “ultrafast” femtosecond laser techniques to investigate the quantum control of fundamental molecular processes and electronic relaxation dynamics in molecules of biophysical interest. Understanding energy redistribution in biological molecules is clearly important if one is to move from studying simple structure-function relationships in these types of systems to a more complete structure-dynamics-function picture that provides a greater fundamental mechanistic understanding. Quantum control methodologies are of great interest since they represent the beginning of a shift from a regime where molecular dynamics are simply observed towards one where they are actively controlled and this is clearly of profound importance for many areas of physics, chemistry and biology. Dave also has a current collaboration with Prof. Ken McKendrick and Dr Matt Costen within the Chemistry Department at Heriot-Watt. This work focuses on using nanosecond lasers in conjunction with ion-imaging methods to study the dynamics of small molecule photodissociation.