The Hare group focuses on using spectroscopy to learn about the properties and behavior of small molecules. We focus on molecules that have biological or environmental interest. The basic idea behind spectroscopy is that different molecular properties will respond to in different ways to the various colors (frequencies) of light. Measuring the frequencies at which they absorb or emit light will give information on the physical and electronic structures of the molecules. Measuring how the absorption or emission changes as a function of time can give information on electronic properties and also the relative number of molecules undergoing a light-induced change.