Neal Lab
Multivariate Optical Spectroscopy of
Biomolecular Assemblies in Complex Fluids
The combination of tunable laser excitation, multi-channel detectors and computer control of spectrometer components allows us merge several spectroscopic measurements into multivariate measurements with the enhanced selectivity needed to study complex systems. In complex fluids, measuring the dynamic
properties of probes is useful for characterizing systems in which medium features are too small for light imaging. Many variable combinations are possible; our past work emphasized emission wavelength and time (via frequency). We are especially interested in integrating excitation wavelength, emission
polarization and spatiotemporal dependence into multivariate measurements. For example, correlation spectroscopy measurements use spatiotemporal relationships in fluorescence intensities to measure fluorophore translational dynamics. Multicolor versions of these measurements have been limited to a few
wavelengths and by distortions such as cross-talk (measuring green photons, for example, at the red photon detector). Multivariate expansion of this technology should enable simultaneous measurement of an unspecified number of fluorophores and the opportunity to use environment sensitive probes that
exhibit complex photokinetics. 
