PhD in Laser Spectroscopy and Optics in Washington United States | Howard University

Laser spectroscopy and optics research is categorized within Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics. A key research focus involves Raman spectroscopy studies of graphitic nanomaterials (such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, and modified graphene nanoplatelets) and metal oxides (including tungsten trioxide and tin dioxide), aimed at characterizing these materials for gas detection, energy storage, and solar cell applications. We also employ additional spectroscopic methods (like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-VIS Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction) to analyze vibrational phonon modes, crystal size, chemical makeup, surface structure, and thermal properties of these nanomaterials for advanced optoelectronic and quantum science applications. Furthermore, we've conducted spectroscopic analysis of supersonic jet-cooled free radicals relevant to combustion (such as alkoxy and alkylthio radicals), including their reaction kinetics with NOx and oxygen. Computational modeling of nanomaterial vibrational properties is being explored for gas sensing, alongside machine learning approaches to identify various functional groups (like carboxyl, ammonia, oxygen, fluoro-carbon, nitrogen, and hydroxyl) in graphene nanoplatelets. Research also extends to terahertz spectroscopy of metamaterials, targeting applications in spatial light modulation and liquid crystal technologies.