Selected Recent Publications

Ultrafast Charge Migration in Phenylalanine
Experimental Schematic

A pump probe scheme allowed the experimental observation of an ultrafast process, within a time period of 30 femtoseconds, in a biomolecule.
L Belshaw et al, J. Phys. Chem. Letts (2012)

Front Cover of Analyst

A recent article, highlighting the potential for using femtosecond lasers as a diagnostic tool in chemical analysis, has been chosen as the prestigious front cover of the RSC journal, Analyst.

O Kelly et al
Analyst 137 64-69 (2012)

CHIMERA

We introduce a new analysis algorithm for achieving high-resolution mass spectra from femtosecond ionisation in an electrostatic ion trap.

JB Greenwood et al
Rev Sci Inst 82 043103 (2011)

Highlight of 2010

One of our recent articles on the control of electron localisation, has been selected as a J Phys B Highlight of 2010

CR Calvert et al,
J Phys B 43 011001 (2010)

Image-charge detection of biomolecules

We have characterised a MALDI source for biomolecular ions, using a calibration of an image-charge detector
JD Alexander et al
Meas. Sci. Tech (2010)

Review of Ultrafast Wavepacket Studies

A detailed report on time-resolved studies of vibrational and rotational motion in Hydrogen diatomics.
CR Calvert et al
Phys. Reports 491 1 (2010)

Welcome to Ultrafast Belfast!

The Ultrafast Belfast Research group uses state-of-the-art laser technology to study ultrafast molecular dynamics. We are part of the Centre for Plasma Physics, at Queen's University Belfast , in Northern Ireland.

We use femtosecond laser pulses to initiate and control molecular motion on ultrashort timescales. In our research we have imaged the motion of fundamental molecules, and demonstrated control over molecular fragmentation. Through new techniques using electrostatic ion traps, we are pursuing high-resolution studies of larger polyatomic molecules, with unique applications for research at the Life-Science interface.

News

Ph.D. Position Available
Studentship funded by the Leverhulme Trust in the Centre for Plasma Physics
This studentship, entitled A Novel LIAD Source for the Enhanced Study of Molecular Dynamics, is part of a research project between Queen's University, Belfast, and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. See here for a description of the project, and please note the application deadline of 12th April, 2013. For further information, contact Dr. Jason Greenwood at j.greenwood@qub.ac.uk.

Ultrafast Charge Migration in a Biomolecule, Phenylalanine
Recent results published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
In a new publication in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, we report on an experimental observation of charge migration within a timesale of 30 fs in the amino acid, phenylalanine (left). This is one of the fastest processes to be observed in a biological molecule.

CPOTS

Summer Activities, 2012
Summer Schools and Conferences
Ultrafast Belfast was represented at the CPOTS (Charged Particle Optics, Theory and Simulation) Erasmus Intensive Program in Crete this year (August / September), and also at QuAMP, (see here for the conference website) held in Queen's University, Belfast. More details are given in our presentations pages.

Poster Prizes in 2011
Louise Belshaw and Martin Duffy: Christmas Meeting of the High Power Laser Community, Dec 2011 .
Louise and Martin were both awarded prizes for their posters at the Christmas meeting, with Louise presenting recent work on Laser Induced Acoustic Desorption (LIAD) as a technique with which to study gas phase biomolecules, and Martin presenting KEIRA - CHIMERA for high resolution mass spectrometry.

Front Cover of Analyst
Article chosen for the front cover of Analyst.
The first issue of the Royal Society of Chemistry journal in 2012 will feature a recent article from Ultrafast Belfast on the front cover. This paper discusses the use of femtosecond lasers as an invaluable tool with which to distinguish reaction products following catalysis.

'Research Impact Showcase': Sept 2011
Ultrafast Belfast has been highlighted as high-impact research at QUB.
In an interview with Dr Chris Calvert and Prof Ian Williams, our studies of molecular control have been highlighted as one of the many pioneering research projects in the University. The interview can be found here as a web article or pdf. Also see the full list of case studies with contributions from across the University.

Summer Conferences 2011
-- ICPEAC XXVII, the International Conference on Photonic, Electronic and Atomic Collisions was held at Queen's this summer for more information, see the conference website.
-- ISWAMP, one of the ICPEAC satellite meetings, was also held locally, at Dubln City University. This meeting on Intense-field Short Wavelength Atomic and Molecular Processes was of particular interest to the FEL and attosecond communities.
-- Ultrafast Belfast was also represented at several other international conferences: ICOMP, ESD, ISACC, and FEMTO10. See our presentations page for more information on posters and talks.

Poster Prizes for Recent Research

Martin Duffy: Spectroscopy Dynamics Group Meeting (Jan 2011)
Martin was awarded first prize at the SDG meeting, at Heriot Watt in Edinburgh. He presented a poster on recent studies of molecular fragmentation in the KEIRA ion trap mass spectrometer.
Louise Belshaw: High Power Laser Christmas Meeting (Dec 2010)
Louise Belshaw was awarded the runner-up poster prize for her work on 'Femtosecond Ionisation and Mass Analysis of Trapped Molecules'.