Scientific background and interests
Occupations:
- PhD studies University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1975 -1978: Chemiluminescence studies of rare gas monohalides.
- Postdoctoral work University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1978: Chemiluminescence studies.
- Research scientist, Science Institute, University of Iceland, 1979 – 1991.
- Professor in physical chemistry, University of Iceland, 1991 -
- Temporary visiting professor at 1) University of Utah, 1988, 2) University of Edinburgh, 3) University of Southampton, 1996, 3) University of Toronto, 1999, 4) University of Bologna, 2004, University of Bergen, 2009.
Research work at Science Institute and University of Iceland since 1979 has been in fields of physical chemistry:
- NMR analysis of organic and inorganic compounds.
- Chemiluminescence studies.
- Laser spectroscopy.
- Photoionization studies by synchrotron radiation.
- Multiphoton ionization studies of halogen containing compounds.
- Photochemistry in the atmosphere.
- Photoisomerization of organic compounds.
- Photorupture (photodissociation and photoionization) channels of molecules.
- Chemistry in interstellar space.
Most recent emphasizes and interests in terms of research:
Main research emphasize recently has been on spectroscopy, photodissociation and photoionization studies of molecules of interest in atmospheric and interstellar chemistry using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) techniques.(1,2) It involves relevant experimental work, simulation analysis as well as ab initio calculations. Furthermore international collaboration work involving photoionization studies by using synchrotron radiation, femtosecond spectroscopy and velocity map imaging studies of molecules is also being undertaken. Recent studies have revealed photodissociation channels, to form neutral fragments, to be of great importance prior to formation of reactive ions in small organic molecules and halogen containing compounds.(2,3)
References:
- Á. Kvaran, K. Matthíasson, H. Wang, A. Bodi, and E. Jonsson, J. Chem. Phys. 129, 164313 (2008); A. Kvaran, K. Matthiasson, and H. Wang, J. Chem. Phys 131, 044324 (2009).
- K. Matthiasson, H. S. Wang, and A. Kvaran, Chemical Physics Letters 458, 58 (2008).
- A. Kvaran, H. Wang, and K. Matthíasson, (to be published).
