Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy of biologically important molecules

In collaboration with Nigel Scrutton and Mike Sutcliffe we are using new accelerator based sources of THz radiation to study molecules relevant to enzyme catalysis. Specifically we are interested in obtaining spectroscopic evidence of vibrational modes that may promote or facilitate hydrogen tunnelling.

This project involved evaluating the use of a range of accelerator based facilities. During the course of this project data were obtained at SRS Daresbury Laboratory, FEL at Jefferson Laboratory Virginia USA, the NSLS at Brookhaven NY USA and ANKA in Germany. Data from a wide range of small molecules was obtained in the far IR/THz region of the spectrum.