Research

Research Overview

Our team studies the interaction of energetic particles (ions, electrons) and photons with solid surfaces, with a  particular emphasis on understanding the physical and chemical processes at play in our solar system and interstellar medium. Our goals are to understand the mechanisms leading to changes in remotely observed optical signatures (spectral reflectance or mass spectroscopy) by investigations of electronic excitations and how these excitations evolve and lead to the emission of light (luminescence), electrons, radiation, atoms and molecules (sputtering and photodesorption) and to radiation damage, chemical changes, surface charge or heat.