Vanessa Margaret Huxter
- Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry-Sci
- Assistant Professor, Physics
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
- (520) 621-2115
- Carl S. Marvel Labs of Chem., Rm. 312
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- vhuxter@arizona.edu
Biography
My research is focused on the development of incisive optical experiments to explore previously intractable questions in systems ranging from solid-state materials to light harvesting pigment-protein complexes to small molecules. I have a substantial background in ultrafast spectroscopy and the application of these techniques to the study of energy and charge transfer, vibrational and spin dynamics, electronic coherence, multiexciton states and physical material properties among others.
I have used linear and non-linear spectroscopic techniques to study the material and optical properties of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystal and molecular systems, observing and analyzing energy dynamics in both singly and multiply excited nanocrystal ensembles and using optical measurements as a tool to determine their material properties. From my ultrafast measurements, a longstanding debate in the literature was resolved. This concerned optical properties of a class of bulk-like colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals that displayed ‘quantum confined’ type optical spectra. I also investigated dynamic electron correlation in molecular systems using a new double quantum coherence experimental technique. Using an anisotropy-type signal, I performed the first measurement of relaxation within the fine structure of CdSe nanocrystals. This measurement demonstrated a novel technique for disentangling spin dynamics using optical spectroscopy and directly led to an understanding of the effect of nanocrystal shape on the optical properties. By further developing this new spectroscopic technique, I was able to quantify previously obscured material properties of nanocrystals in solution. These measurements revealed the size-dependent modification of the elastic properties and related that to a change in surface energy. This was the first demonstration of the in-situ measurement of surface stain, which controls the growth kinetics in colloidal nanoparticle systems and is critical for nanocrystal design. Beyond experimental work, I developed a new theoretical expression for elasticity and surface strain in nanoparticles and wrote extensive modeling code to simulate and disentangle the origins of the observed nonlinear signals.
I have employed state-of-the-art two-dimensional electronic spectroscopic techniques (2DES) to study energy flow in solid-state systems. Currently, there are only a handful of groups in the world capable of these experiments that provide an unprecedented level of insight into electronic processes. I performed the first ultrafast experiment on negatively charged nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond (NVDs) using 2DES. These measurements provided a window into the complex coherent vibrational dynamics of NVDs, which are of interest due to their range of optical and material properties that make them attractive for quantum computing and processing applications. In these measurements I observed cooperative coherent vibrational dynamics and ultrafast energy transfer between a large, structured phonon side band and the triplet electronic state. I was able to characterize the complex vibrational bath of the defect, which is critical for associated applications including magnetometry, quantum information and processing, single photon emission and imaging. This measurement represents the first ultrafast probe of NVD material dynamics and also the first 2DES measurement of a freestanding, monolithic solid-state material. In order to perform this measurement, I developed a series of technological advancements that were implemented in the experimental design.
I have also built a new 2DES spectroscopy apparatus using modern pulse shaping techniques to study photosynthetic pigments and pigment-protein complexes. My colleagues and I were able to identify excitation overlaps and the contributions of multiple excitations in the Fenna-Matthews-Olsen photosynthetic pigment-protein complex using this novel apparatus. Using the 2DES experiment, a group of researchers and I investigated the properties of the orange carotenoid protein that has a photoprotective role in natural light harvesting in cyanobacteria. These measurements revealed the dynamics of photoswitching and deactivation pathways driven by vibrational dynamics. These results have important implications for both natural and artificial light harvesting strategies.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Physical Chemistry
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Optical and Material Properties of Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals
- B.S. Chemistry
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Tandem Calibration Methodology: Dual Nebulizer Sample Introduction for ICP-MS
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2014 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2013 - Ongoing)
- UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (2009 - 2013)
Awards
- Journal of Physical Chemistry Editorial Advisory Board Member
- Journal of Physical Chemistry, Spring 2017
- Faculty Member of the UA Institute for Energy Sciences
- UA Institute for Energy Sciences, Fall 2016
- University of Arizona Sloan Fellowship Nominee
- University of Arizona, Fall 2015 (Award Nominee)
- Scialog Collaborative Innovation Award
- Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Spring 2015
- Scialog Fellow: Molecules Come to Life
- Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Spring 2015
- University of Arizona Packard Fellowship Nominee
- University of Arizona, Spring 2015 (Award Nominee)
- Scialog Fellow: Solar Energy Conversion
- Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Fall 2014
- Ultrafast Phenomena Grant for Young Scientists
- Summer 2012
Interests
Research
Ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy, quantum mechanical systems, defect centers, natural and artificial light harvesting, nanocrystals, energy and charge transfer, nitrogen vacancies in diamond, protein dynamics, anisotropy, phonons, vibrational modes, condensed matter physics
Teaching
Quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, physical chemistry, solid-state physics
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Spring 2025) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2025) -
Gen Chem II: Quantitative
CHEM 142 (Spring 2025) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2025) -
Directed Research
CHEM 392 (Fall 2024) -
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Fall 2024) -
Honors Chemical Thinking I
CHEM 161 (Fall 2024) -
Honors Preceptorship
CHEM 291H (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Spring 2024) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Spring 2024) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Spring 2024) -
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Fall 2023) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Fall 2023) -
Intro To Quantum Chem
CHEM 580 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Spring 2023) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Spring 2023) -
Independent Study
OPTI 599 (Spring 2023) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Spring 2023) -
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Fall 2022) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Fall 2022) -
Intro To Quantum Chem
CHEM 580 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Spring 2022) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Spring 2022) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Spring 2022) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Spring 2022) -
Dissertation
OPTI 920 (Fall 2021) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Spring 2021) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Spring 2021) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2021) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Spring 2021) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2021) -
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Fall 2020) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Fall 2020) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Fall 2020) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Fall 2020) -
Intro To Quantum Chem
CHEM 580 (Fall 2020) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Spring 2020) -
Dissertation
PHYS 920 (Spring 2020) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2020) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Spring 2020) -
Intro Molec Spectroscopy
CHEM 587 (Spring 2020) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2020) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Fall 2019) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Fall 2019) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Directed Research
BIOC 492 (Spring 2019) -
Directed Research
PHYS 492 (Spring 2019) -
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Spring 2019) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2019) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Spring 2019) -
Intro Molec Spectroscopy
CHEM 587 (Spring 2019) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2019) -
Directed Research
BIOC 392 (Fall 2018) -
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Fall 2018) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Fall 2018) -
Honors Preceptorship
CHEM 491H (Fall 2018) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Fall 2018) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Fall 2018) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Spring 2018) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
CHEM 299 (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
PHYS 499 (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Spring 2018) -
Intro Molec Spectroscopy
CHEM 587 (Spring 2018) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2018) -
Dissertation
CHEM 920 (Fall 2017) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Fall 2017) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Fall 2017) -
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 480A (Fall 2017) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Independent Study
PHYS 399 (Summer I 2017) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2017) -
Independent Study
PHYS 599 (Spring 2017) -
Intro Molec Spectroscopy
CHEM 587 (Spring 2017) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2017) -
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Fall 2016) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Exchange Chemical Info
CHEM 695B (Spring 2016) -
Intro Molec Spectroscopy
CHEM 587 (Spring 2016) -
Research
CHEM 900 (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Kumar, A., Thompson, B., Gautam, R., Tomat, E., & Huxter, V. (2023). Temperature-Dependent Spin-Driven Dimerization Determines the Ultrafast Dynamics of a Copper(II)-Bound Tripyrrindione Radical. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 14(50), 11268-11273.
- Cho, B., Swain, A., Gautam, R., Tomat, E., & Huxter, V. M. (2022). Time-resolved dynamics of stable open- and closed-shell neutral radical and oxidized tripyrrindione complexes. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 24(26), 15718-15725.
- Swain, A., Cho, B., Gautam, R., Curtis, C., Tomat, E., & Huxter, V. M. (2019). Ultrafast Dynamics of Tripyrrindiones in Solution Mediated by Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions. Journal of Physical Chemistry's Special Issue: Young Scientists.
- Cho, B., & Huxter, V. M. (2016). Ultrafast Dynamics of Palladium(II) Tripyrrindione: A Redox Active Platform for Catalysis, Energy and Charge Transfer. Ultrafast Phenomena.
- De Re, E., Schlau-Cohen, G. S., Leverenz, R. L., Huxter, V. M., Oliver, T. A., Mathies, R. A., & Fleming, G. R. (2014). Insights into the Structural Changes Occurring upon Photoconversion in the Orange Carotenoid Protein from Broadband Two Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 118, 5382-5389.
- Huxter, V. M., Oliver, T. A., Budker, D., & Fleming, G. R. (2013). Vibrational and Electronic Dynamics of Nitrogen-Vacancy Defect Centers in Diamond Revealed by Two-Dimensional Ultrafast Spectroscopy. Nature Physics, 9, 744–749.
Proceedings Publications
- Huxter, V. M., Oliver, T. A., Budker, D., & Fleming, G. R. (2013, Spring). Vibrational and Electronic Ultrafast Relaxation of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond. In Ultrafast Phenomena XVIII: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference, 41, 04009.
Presentations
- Huxter, V. M. (2019, July). Ultrafast dynamics of novel tripyrrolic molecular systems. International Conference on Photochemistry.
- Huxter, V. M. (2019, Nov). Ultrafast Dynamics of Novel Tripyrrolic Molecular Systems. ACS 2019 Southwest Regional and Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting, Symposium on Ultrafast Processes in Chemistry to Picoseconds and Below.
- Huxter, V. M. (2018, April). Optical Tuning of Electronic Dynamics in Nanoparticle and Molecular Systems Using Ultrafast Spectroscopy. Nanoscale Sciences Seminar at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
- Huxter, V. M. (2017, March). Ultrafast Nonlinear Frequency Generation in Excitonic Systems and the Dynamics of Novel Photosynthetic Pigment Analogs. American Physical Society March Meeting. New Orleans: APS.
- Huxter, V. M. (2017, Nov). A Light in the Darkness: Frequency Generation in Natural Light Harvesting Systems and the Dynamics of Novel Photosynthetic Pigment Analogs.. University of Massachusetts Amherst Physics Colloquium. University of Massachusetts Amherst: University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- Huxter, V. M. (2017, Nov). Quantum Biology and 2DES. MassCAM Seminar. University of Massachusetts, Amherst,: University of Massachusetts, Amherst,.
- Huxter, V. M. (2014, April). Mapping Energy Flow with Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy. Arizona Student Energy Conference. Arizona State University.
- Huxter, V. M. (2014, January). From Diamond Defects to Clever Plants: Mapping Energy Flow with Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy. Department of Physics Colloquium. Tucson, AZ.
- Huxter, V. M. (2014, March). Mapping Energy Flow with Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy. American Physical Society March Meeting. Denver, CO.
- Huxter, V. M. (2014, October). From the Individual to the Ensemble: Revealing Hidden Dynamics and Interactions in Systems Organized on the Nanoscale. New Laser Scientists Conference. Tucson: American Physical Society DLS Meeting.
- Huxter, V. M. (2014, September). Mapping Energy Flow with Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy. Physical Chemistry Colloquium. University of Arizona.
- Huxter, V. M. (2013, October). Diamonds are a Plant’s Best Friend: Coherent Vibrational and Electronic Dynamics in Diamond Defects and Natural light Harvesting Systems. Chemical Physics Seminar. Tucson, AZ.
- Huxter, V. M. (2013, October). From Diamond Defects to Clever Plants: Mapping Energy Flow with Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy. College of Optical Sciences Colloquium. Tucson, AZ.
- Huxter, V. M. (2013, October). From the Individual to the Ensemble: Emergent Phenomena and Hidden Properties in Complex System. Joint Biology Retreat at BioSphere 2. Tucson, AZ.
- Huxter, V. M. (2012, December). Vibrations, Couplings and Coherences: Insights from Two-Dimensional Ultrafast Electronic Spectroscopy. Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg Seminar, CNRS.
- Huxter, V. M., Oliver, T. A., Budker, D., & Fleming, G. R. (2012, July). Vibrational and Electronic Ultrafast Relaxation of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond. 18th International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena. Lausanne, Switzerland.