| Dr. Paul D. Cooper Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry MS 3E2 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 Email: pcooper6@gmu.edu Ph: (703)-993-2403 Fax: (703)-993-1055 Office: Rm 335, Science and Technology I, Fairfax campus. Laboratory: Rm 336, Science and Technology I, Fairfax campus. |
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Welcome to the website of Dr. Paul D. Cooper and the AIMIS (Astrophysical Ice and Matrix-Isolation Spectroscopy) Laboratory.
Ices
Water is one of the most abundant molecules in the universe. From intersteller clouds to planetary bodies, water can be found just about everywhere. In the AIMIS Laboratory, we are interested in investigating the chemistry of water ice when it is exposed to radiation. These laboratory experiments simulate the processes that occur on planetary surfaces such as Mars, Europa, Enceladus, Kuiper Belt Objects (KBO's) and comets.
Atmospheric molecular complexes
The absorption of infrared radiation by molecular complexes in the atmosphere is important in modelling Earth's thermal energy budget. Complexes formed via hydrogen bonding, charge-transfer or dispersion forces can all produce shifts in both absorption band position and intensity from their parent molecules. These molecular complexes can be trapped in solid inert gas matrices where their absorption spectra can be measured, and their structure and bonding properties determined.Research Opportunities
Research opportunities exist at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Please email me to enquire.