Professor - Emeritus Education: B.S., Oregon State University (1963); Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (1966); N.S.F. Postdoctoral Fellow, Univ. of Cambridge, Cambridge, England (1966-67) Teaching/Research Awards: Milton Harris Teaching Award, Oregon State University (1982); Humboldt Senior Scientist Awardee, Munich, West Germany (1983); Carter Award for Inspirational Teaching, College of Science,OSU. (1986) ; JILA Fellow, Univ. of Colorado (1988); Sigma Xi Research Award, Oregon State University (1991); Otto M. Smith Lecturer, Oklahoma State University (1994); Elizabeth P. Richie Distinguished Professor Award, Oregon State Univ. (1997); MURG Fellow, Macquarie University, Australia (1998); Top Prof Award, Senior Honor Society, Oregon State Univ. (1998) Email: joseph.nibler@oregonstate.edu Office: Gilbert 101 Phone: (541) 737-6715 Fax: (541) 737-2062 Research group web site: http://www.chemistry.oregonstate.edu/personalhomepages/nibler.htm

Dr. Nibler's research involves the use of various spectroscopic methods in the study of structures and dynamic properties of simple reactive molecules, radicals, ions, and weak complexes formed in cold molecular beams. Examples include species such as CH₃, N₂H₂, SO₃, C₄N₂, and C₃O₂. Laser photolysis and other methods are used in generating such species, and pulsed laser techniques are employed to probe their properties on a short time scale.

Part of the research involves efforts to improve new nonlinear optical techniques (such as CARS-Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy and high-resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy) for service as probing methods with high analytical sensitivity. Recent work uses a double resonance approach in which molecules are selectively pumped to upper vibrational levels via stimulated Raman excitation, followed by u.v. laser photo-ionization. This method offers sensitivity improvements of about 1000 and also permits time-of-flight mass spectral sorting of molecules in complex mixtures. From the high resolution vibrational-rotational spectra, one obtains structural parameters and detailed kinetic information about concentration changes with time.

Other research involves the study of the growth and properties of small molecular clusters formed in cold free jet expansions. The objective is to learn more about the ways in which small nucleation centers form and grow under super-saturated conditions. Coherent Raman vibrational spectra of the clusters allow one to measure local temperatures and phase properties of nm scale aggregates and to measure freezing rates as small liquid clusters convert to crystalline form during the jet expansion. In some cases, molecules on the surface can be distinguished from those in the interior of the cluster. Experimental measurement of the properties of such small clusters is of considerable interest for comparison with theoretical models and is of practical interest in designing new nano-scale materials.

Representative Publications

• High resolution spectroscopy of [1.1.1]propellane, J. Mol. Spectroscopy, 2008, 248 (2),153-160.
• Coherent Raman spectra of the n 1 mode of 10BF3 and 11BF3, J. Mol. Spectroscopy, 2006, 237 (1), 97-103.
• Evolution of physical chemistry laboratory instruction, Abstracts of Papers, 230th ACS National Meeting, 2005, PHYS-031.
• Coherent Raman Spectra of the ν₁ Mode of Carbon Suboxide, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2005, 109 (14), 3139-3145.
• Analysis of High Resolution Infrared and CARS Spectra of ³⁴S¹⁸O₃, J. Mol. Spectroscopy, 2004, 223, 84-95.
• A Nonlinear Optical Experiment: Stimulated Raman Scattering in Benzene and Deuterated Benzene, J. Chem. Ed., 2003, 80, 1187.
• High Resolution CARS study of collisional broadening of the ν₂-branch of acetylene, J. Raman Spectroscopy, 2000, 31, 719.
• Spectroscopic diagnostics of chemical processes: Applications of tunable optical parametric oscillators, Applied Physics B, 2000 71, 651.