Simulation of the ground state of CH₅⁺, courtesy of Joel Bowman.

Research in the McCall Group

Our research is centered at the interface between physical chemistry and astronomy, a field often called astrochemistry. We approach astrochemistry from two directions: laboratory spectroscopy of astronomically important molecules, and astronomical spectroscopy of molecules in the interstellar medium.

On the laboratory side, we are particularly interested in the structure and intramolecular dynamics of non-classical carbocations (such as CH₅⁺, pictured at right) and fullerenes (such as C₆₀), and we study these molecules using high-resolution infrared spectroscopy.

On the observational side, our goal is to use our laboratory spectra to enable the detection of new molecules in the interstellar medium. We are also actively involved in the study of the diffuse interstellar bands, the longest-standing mystery in all of spectroscopy!

More Information

Find more information about the research being done in the McCall group by entering one of the following sections.

	Laboratory Here you can browse through current projects being done in the McCall research laboratory.
	Astronomy Learn about the astronomical research being done in the McCall group.