Material applications of the far-infrared free-electron laser

Our research program using the free-electron laser (FEL) to study structural and dynamical properties of materials is described. Initial experiments using the FEL facility at the University of California, Santa Barbara, focus on understanding (1) low-energy processes in bulk and composite materials, (2) the intermolecular forces in van der Waal clusters, and (3) molecular interactions with surfaces. To support the interpretation of our experimental program we have developed the theory necessary to compute the dynamics of multicomponent systems that can interact through weak van der Waal forces or through formation of covalent and metallic bonds.