Laser and Optical Spectroscopy Professor Elmars Krausz

Electronic spectroscopy probes the nature of chemical bonding and chemical reactivity. Many measurements in chemical science only probe the stable, lowest-energy state of molecules. Optical spectroscopy enables the study of molecules in excited electronic states. These reveal entirely different properties and the excited state is where chemical transformations happen.

Laser technologies allow unprecedently precise measurements to be made. The wide range of spectroscopic techniques available includes utilisation of laser sources in which each photon has a very tightly defined energy or where light packets are compressed into pulses of incredibly short duration. These techniques can be used for either fundamental research or as analytical tools and allowing measurements to be made right down to the single molecule level.

Our group has performed measurements on a wide range of materials and systems: organic, inorganic, ionic, amorphous, crystalline and biological. Our great strength is the ability to design, develop and invent special experiments and apparatus to target important questions.

In the last decade, our activities have moved to the study of renewable energy transformations performed by and inspired by nature.

Current research activities

Photosystem II

The Photosystem II reaction centre is unique in being able to oxidise water to molecular oxygen. Splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen is the most energetic process in all of biology and drives nearly all life on the planet. We are developing an entirely new understanding of this process, from initial charge separation amongst the pigment chlorophylls to the detailed mechanism of oxygen formation at the manganese oxygen-evolving centre. A fundamental understanding of this process will enable new ways of harnessing solar energy and spearhead the development of artificial photosynthesis.

Biomimetic Energy Conversion

We are probing the way in which proteins modify and enhance the properties of both chlorophylls and metal ions to provide them with the photochemical and redox properties needed for energy transduction and conversion. These can be both model compounds made by chemical means or small proteins that can be synthesised or modified by biochemical technologies. In particular we look to being able to create robust chemical systems inspired by the spectacular chemical feats achieved by by bacteria and photosynthetic organisms.

Annual Research Report   (PDF format)

Group members

Academic Staff:
Professor Elmars Krausz (Leader)   |   Dr. Joseph Hughes   |   Dr Ronald Steffen

Technical Staff:
Keith Jackman

PhD Students:
Lesley Debono

Visiting Fellows:
Dr Lucjan Dubicki

Key publications

1. H. Riesen, L. Wallace and E. Krausz. Intramolecular mini-excitons in othe series [Os(bpy)_3-x(bpy-d₈)_x]²⁺ (x=0 to 3) in [Zn(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂ and [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂. Mol. Phys., 87,1299-1316 (1996).
2. Robert Stranger, Lucjan Dubicki and Elmars Krausz, Magneto-Optical Investigation of the Exchange Coupled Dimer Cs₃Mo₂Br₉. Inorg. Chem. 35, 4218-4226 (1996).
3. P. J. Smith, S., Peterson, V.M. Masters, T. Wydrzynski, S. Styring, E. Krausz and R.J. Pace, Magneto-Optical Measurements of the Pigments in Fully Active Photsystem II Core Complexes from Plants. Biochemistry 41, 1981-1989 (2002).
4. S. Peterson Årsköld, V.M. Masters, B. Prince, P.J. Smith R.J. Pace and E. Krausz, Optical Spectra of Synechocystis and Spinach Photosystem II Preparations: Identification of the D1-Pheophytin Energies and Stark Shifts. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 125(43), 13063-13074 (2003).
5. J. L. Hughes, P.J. Smith, R.J. Pace and E. Krausz, Charge Separation in Photosystem II complexes induced by 690-730 nm excitation at 1.7K. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1757, 841-851 (2006).

Elmars Krausz, a graduate in Physical Chemistry at the University of Sydney, has held postdoctoral fellowships in Oxford and Charlottesville. He is currently a Professor in the Research School of Chemistry.

private web page: Krausz home page group photos

Professor E R Krausz Research School of Chemistry, Building 35 Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA Ph: +61 2 6125 3577 Fx: +61 2 6125 0750 E-mail: krausz@rsc.anu.edu.au