Collaborative Research: Optical Transitions in Metallic Nanoclusters at High Pressure

The proposed research is concerned with characterizing the properties of atomically precise clusters composed of gold or silver plus ligands using diamond anvil cells to apply high pressure, and using optical measurements to study excited states. The experiments will be modeled using electronic structure theory, including both ground state calculations to determine structures, and excited state studies to determine optical properties. The research is aimed at identifying optical properties such as plasmon to exciton transitions, or increase in luminescence efficiency that are of interest to using the clusters in practical applications.