Investigating molecular structures: Rapidly examining molecular fingerprints through fast passage broadband fourier transform microwave spectroscopy (original) (raw)

I would like to thank, first and foremost, Professor Stephen Cooke for all of his guidance, mentorship, patience and understanding on everything mentioned in this body of work. His teaching and ideas have greatly fueled any success I may have or had as a student. Secondly, I would like to thank the Toulouse Graduate School and Department of Chemistry at the University of North Texas, the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Energy for financial support both personally and on the projects described in this work. I also would like to thank Dr. Brooks Pate and his group from the University of Virginia for all of their insightful comments and help pertaining to the construction and development of the chirped pulse spectrometer. I want to acknowledge Professors Sean Peebles and Bill Bailey for their collaborations, insightful comments, and other contributions to this work as well as work not mentioned in this document. I would also like to acknowledge all my coworkers in Dr. Cooke's research group that contributed and continue to contribute their help and insight into the ongoing development of this project. Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank my wife, Laura, and my family for their love, encouragement, support, and kindness throughout my graduate career as well as my life. They truly inspire me in all aspects of life. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS