Geoffrey Blake - Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Caltech
Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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Geoffrey Blake

Geoffrey Blake

Professor of Cosmochemistry and Planetary Sciences and Professor of Chemistry

B.S., Duke University, 1981; Ph.D., Caltech, 1986. Assistant Professor of Cosmochemistry, 1987-93; Associate Professor of Cosmochemistry and Planetary Sciences, 1993-97; Professor, 1997-99; Professor of Cosmochemistry and Planetary Sciences and Professor of Chemistry, 1999-. Deputy Director, Owens Valley Radio Observatory, 2000-06; Master of Student Houses, 2009-.
Phone: 626-395-6296
Office: 165A South Mudd
Mail Code: MC 150-32
Research Summary
Observational analyses of stellar and planetary genesis; in situ characterization of the Earth's atmosphere and biogeochemical cycles; laser spectroscopic and ab initio characterization of weakly bonded clusters and reactive intermediates
Profile

Dual Affiliation with Geology and Planetary Sciences

Assistant: Loreta Young

Complexity is a hallmark of the natural world. For cosmochemical and geochemical systems this complexity often extends to the molecular level. During the past decade tremendous strides have been made in the chemical sciences as advances in microelectronics, lasers, materials science, etc. have all converged to produce instrumentation of unparalleled speed, sensitivity, and flexibility. For the most part these advances have been driven by technological considerations, but the application of state-of-the-art chemical techniques to astrophysics and to the earth and planetary sciences holds the potential to revolutionize the analysis of complex natural materials.

The Blake group applies innovative spectroscopic tools to investigate the chemical and physical processes that operate in natural environments ranging from the interstellar medium to the heart of living cells. The ultimate goal of this work is a detailed understanding of the evolution of molecular diversity from atoms in the interstellar medium or from simple chemical precursors in laboratory syntheses to complex molecules and aggregates throughout the solar system, in life, and in the devices utilized by man. We carry out both remote sensing and laboratory studies, and we are actively developing new spectrometers across the Terahertz (THz, 30-1000 μm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with active research in three major scientific areas.

Publications

For a complete publications list, see feeds.library.caltech.edu
2022-23
Ge/Ch 128. Cosmochemistry. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: instructor's permission. Examination of the chemistry of the interstellar medium, of protostellar nebulae, and of primitive solar-system objects with a view toward establishing the relationship of the chemical evolution of atoms in the interstellar radiation field to complex molecules and aggregates in the early solar system that may contribute to habitability. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the physical conditions in various objects, timescales for physical and chemical change, chemical processes leading to change, observational constraints, and various models that attempt to describe the chemical state and history of cosmological objects in general and the early solar system in particular. Given in alternate years; not offered 2022-23.
Instructor: Blake
Ch 226. Optical and Nonlinear Spectroscopy. 9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: Ch 125 ab, or equivalent instruction in quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanical foundations of optical spectroscopy as applied to chemical and material systems. Topics include optical properties of materials, nonlinear and quantum optics, and multidimensional spectroscopy.
Instructors: Blake, Cushing
2019-20
Ch 226. Optical and Nonlinear Spectroscopy. 9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2019-20. Prerequisites: Ch125ab, or equivalent instruction in quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanical foundations of optical spectroscopy as applied to chemical and material systems. Topics include optical properties of materials, nonlinear and quantum optics, and multidimensional spectroscopy.
Instructors: Blake, Cushing