Welcome

The Bull Research Group is active in Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Our work focuses on the spectroscopy and dynamics of isolated molecules, studied using state-of-the-art, custom-built vacuum instrumentation. We have a particular emphasis on isomers and photoisomerisation, and perform electronic structure calculations and non-adiabatic molecular dynamics to help understand the gas-phase dynamics. We strongly believe that real experimental physical chemists should build their own experiments, including drive electronics and software control.

Our research techniques include tandem ion mobility spectrometry to isomer- or “shape”-select target ions, quadrupole or time-of-flight mass spectrometry to mass-select target ions, and photoelectron velocity-map imaging to probe target ions. Our experiments are configured so that laser light can be introduced at various points in the ion mobility or time-of-flight regions, allowing maximum flexibility in experimental design—e.g., to photogenerate, separate, and then probe short-lived photoisomers.

The ultimate goal is to enable isomer-specific spectroscopy and dynamics, whether involving geometric isomers, tautomers, deprotomers, cluster geometries, and so on. Target molecular systems of interest at present include anions of biochromophores such as that in green flourescent protein (GFP) and derivatives like cyan and kaede, hydroxycinnamates, flavins, and conjugated polyenes. We are actively investigating a range of photomolecular motors and photoswitches, including those based on azobenzenes, stilbenes, and ring-opening/ring-closing reactions. Photoswitches that have multiple isomers or photoswitchable states are of particular interest.

We endeavour to keep this website up to date. However, if you spot anything that is incorrect, please send us a polite email.