The research line is focused on experimental optical spectroscopies and laser-induced processes of a variety of molecules on diverse nanostructures.
Optical spectroscopies include Raman, fluorescence, UV-visible, infrared, emission, and laser-induced breakdown, with and without nanostructured metal substrates (Surface-Enhanced Vibrational Spectroscopies). These techniques are exploited to investigate a wealth of cutting edge phenomena: the vibrational properties of molecules of chemical and biological interest with direct implications either in sensing applications or in structural and analytical aspects of biological substances/systems.
The optical properties of a variety of metal nanostructures are experimentally and theoretically investigated as substrates and 'nanoantennas' in general; finally, the physical chemistry processes taking place at the ablation plumes and photodissociation plasmas formed as intermediates in the deposition of nanostructured materials.
The major objective of this research line is to advance in the knowledge through fundamental multidisciplinary research in the field of chemical, molecular and bio physics, exploiting optical
spectroscopies and laser-induced processes. We apply vibrational spectroscopies to investigate molecules and/on nanostructured materials of interest in Biophysics, Nanophotonics and Nanochemistry, Sensing, and Cultural Heritage. In addition, laser ablation and photodissociation are employed in order to give insight into interactions governing gas-phase reactivity of molecular species, with implications in the synthesis of new nanomaterials.
In particular, three main research sublines are pursued within the present Action Plan:
