Uses ultrafast multidimensional spectroscopy to study structural dynamics of biomolecules. Directions: (1) 2D IR spectroscopy of protein folding, water dynamics, and membrane systems with sub-100-fs time resolution; (2) single-molecule FRET for resolving conformational heterogeneity in proteins and nucleic acids; (3) development of ultrafast mid-IR laser sources and pulse shaping for 2D spectroscopy. Resolves dynamics inaccessible to other methods.
Zuerch combines tabletop attosecond/femtosecond XUV sources with photoemission electron microscopy to image ultrafast magnetic, electronic, and structural dynamics in quantum materials with combined nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. The lab is actively recruiting postdocs.