Laser spectroscopy of molecular electronic components
There exists a gap between the calculations possible for molecular electronics, and the corresponding experiments on single molecule conduction. This gap is hindering developments in the field of molecular electronics, the technology which we hope will bring about a revolution in electronic technology analogous to the semiconductor revolution of the 1960s. This research will provide rigorous gas-phase spectroscopic data on model systems directly comparable to the theoretical models used to explain condensed phase phenomena, thereby filling the gap that exists at present. This will enable theorists to make progress in the rational design of new technologies.