WYOMISSING, Pa. \u2014 The 13th annual Penn State Berks Losoncy Lecture in Physics and Astronomy will be presented by Leah G. Dodson, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Maryland. Dodson will present \u201cThe Quantum Identity Crisis of Molecular Hydrogen: Why the Simplest Molecule Isn\u2019t So Simple\u201d on Wednesday, March 25. A reception will begin at 4 p.m. in the college\u2019s Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room and the lecture begins at 4:45 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n
The lecture series is named in honor of George J. Losoncy, a retired Penn State Berks maintenance employee who donated $50,000 to establish a research endowment in physics and astronomy at Penn State Berks. \u2028 \u2028<\/p>\n
According to Dodson, molecular hydrogen (H2) is the simplest molecule in the universe. It is made of just two protons and two electrons, and it plays a central role in everything from stars and planets to emerging energy technologies. Yet despite its simplicity, hydrogen still demonstrates confounding quantum behavior.<\/p>\n
“In this lecture, I will explore how hydrogen exists in two distinct \u2018identities,\u2019 known as ortho and para hydrogen that differ only in the alignment of the nuclear spins of their protons. Although chemically identical, these two forms behave differently, convert between one another very slowly (if at all!), and follow quantum rules that are only revealed in tailor-made environments. Unraveling these behaviors requires the right tools for the job,\u201d stated Dodson.<\/p>\n
She will describe how her research group uses cryogenic environments \u2014 where molecules are cooled to just a few degrees above absolute zero \u2014 and carefully designed solid hosts to reveal hydrogen\u2019s hidden identities. By confining hydrogen inside frozen materials and probing it with infrared light, researchers can observe how quantum symmetry controls the rate at which ortho and para hydrogen interconvert.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese experiments could allow us to control hydrogen\u2019s identity in future applications,\u201d explained Dodson. She continued by stating that she will discuss why nuclear spin matters for energy storage, planetary science, and our broader understanding of quantum mechanics in everyday matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis talk is intended for a general audience and will focus on physical intuition, visual explanations, and the surprising idea that sometimes the most important chemistry happens when everything cools down,\u201d explained Dodson.<\/p>\n
Dodson is a recipient of the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Award. She earned her doctoral degree in chemistry from California Institute of Technology and her baccalaureate degree in chemistry Case Western Reserve University.<\/p>\n