1) what is the general time scale for excited-state evolution in transition metal complexes? 2) what is the mechanism of this process? 3) how do the geometric and electronic structures of the compounds, the surrounding medium, and other factors couple to and/or influence this process? and 4) to what extent can we use this information to control excited-state dynamics? Certain of these questions are very fundamental in nature, whereas others are geared toward work on solar energy conversion. What distinguishes the group, we believe, is our ability to carry out both the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a wide range of inorganic molecules. This enables us to systematically examine chemical perturbations to excited-state electronic and geometric structure, and in so doing develop a comprehensive picture of how transition metal chromophores absorb and dissipate energy.
