The reaction matrix of multichannel quantum defect theory, K, gives a complete picture of the electronic structure and the electron - nuclear dynamics for a molecule. The reaction matrix can be used to examine both bound ...

A discussion of the anomalous low-temperature thermal properties of amorphous materials is first given as a theoretical framework in which the rest of the thesis is treated. The theory models the form and function of ...

Poly(phenylene-ethynylene) (PPE), a fully conjugated polymer system, exhibits high solution state quantum yields, narrow emission profiles, and wide band gaps allowing for blue emission, making them ideal candidates for ...

Multi-electron reaction chemistry, from both ground- and excited-state species, is at the heart of many topics in renewable energy and catalysis. In this thesis, two classes of reactions central to the themes of energy ...

Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy has blossomed over the last two decades. As ssNMR is progressively applied to more challenging systems, the sensitivity remains one of its major limiting factors. ...

There are numerous advantages to high frequency (high field) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two of the most important are improved sensitivity and the improved resolution of field dependent interactions. ...

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has exploded in popularity over the last few years, finally realizing its potential to overcome the detrimental lack of sensitivity that has plagued performing NMR experiments. Applied ...

Water consists of an extended hydrogen bond network that is constantly evolving. More than just a description of the time averaged structure is necessary to understand any process that occurs in water. In this thesis we ...