Abstract:
   The ability to measure the electronic response of materials in the 
   electronic excited state has been possible since the advent of the 
   laser.  However, rational materials design involves the coupling of 
   experiment with computational simulation.  The ability of 
   computational molecular dynamics and ab initio simulations to 
   accurately predict the structure and electronic response of materials 
   in the electronic excited state has been limited by computational 
   resources and processing power.  Due to these limitations, an avenue 
   for design of electronic excited state materials with the desired
   electronic response has not existed until very recently.

   The coupling of electronic and nuclear motions due to electronic 
   excitations is much less well understood.  Experimental techniques for 
   studying the structure and vibrational response of materials in the 
   electronic excited state are still in their early infancy.

   A detailed elucidation of the processes responsible for the 
   electronic and vibrational response of materials in the electronic 
   excited state will enable development of new systems for combustion 
   synthesis and chemical kinetics, and aid in the characterization of 
   photosynthesizers and laser, welding, fuel cell, and battery 
   materials.  This talk will discuss existing techniques for the 
   measurement and prediction of properties of materials in the electronic
   excited state.