Publications

  • Merriles DM & Michael D. Morse (2023). CrN, CuB, and AuB: A Tale of Two Dissociation Limits. The journal of physical chemistry letters. Vol. 14, 736173677361-7367. Published, 08/01/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01712?urlapp...
  • Merriles DM, London A, Tieu, Erick, Nielson, Christopher & Morse, Michael D. (2023). Probing the Chemical Bond between Lanthanides and Carbon: CeC, PrC, NdC, LuC, and TmC2. Inorganic chemistry. Vol. 62, 958996019589-9601. Published, 06/01/2023.
    https://pubs.acs.org/action/showCitFormats?doi=10....
  • Merriles DM, Knapp AS, Barrera-Casas Y, Sevy, Andrew, Sorensen, Jason J. & Morse, Michael D. (2023). Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal nitrides. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 158, 084308084308. Published, 03/01/2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0141182
  • Dakota M. Merriles & Michael D. Morse (2022). Ionization energies and cationic bond dissociation energies of RuB, RhB, OsB, IrB, and PtB. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 157, 074303. Published, 08/17/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0107086
  • Merriles DM (2022). Ionization energies and cationic bond dissociation energies of RuB, RhB, OsB, IrB, and PtB. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 157, 074303074303. Published, 08/01/2022.
  • Merriles DM (2022). Ionization energies and cationic bond dissociation energies of RuB, RhB, OsB, IrB, and PtB. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 157, 074303074303. Published, 08/01/2022.
  • Merriles DM & Tomchak KH (2022). Early Transition Metals Strengthen the B2 Bond in MB2 Complexes. Journal of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 144, 755775617557-7561. Published, 05/01/2022.
  • Merriles DM & Tomchak KH (2022). Early Transition Metals Strengthen the B2 Bond in MB2 Complexes. Journal of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 144, 755775617557-7561. Published, 05/01/2022.
  • Dakota M. Merriles & Kimberly H. Tomchak, Christopher Nielson, and Michael D. Morse (2022). Early Transition Metals Strengthen the B2 Bond in MB2 Complexes. Journal of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 144, 7577-7561. Published, 04/19/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c13709
  • Demeter Tzeli & Ioannis Karapetsas, Dakota M. Merriles, Joshua C. Ewigleben, and Michael D. Morse (2022). Molybdenum-Sulfur Bond: Electronic Structure of Low-Lying States of MoS. Journal of Physical Chemistry A. Vol. 126, 1168-1181. Published, 02/11/2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.1c10672
  • Tzeli D & Karapetsas I (2022). Molybdenum-Sulfur Bond: Electronic Structure of Low-Lying States of MoS. The journal of physical chemistry. A. Vol. 126, 116811811168-1181. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Tzeli D & Karapetsas I (2022). Molybdenum-Sulfur Bond: Electronic Structure of Low-Lying States of MoS. The journal of physical chemistry. A. Vol. 126, 116811811168-1181. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Jason J. Sorensen, Erick Tieu & Michael D. Morse (2021). Bond dissociation energies of the lanthanide sulfides and selenides. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 154, 124307. Published, 03/24/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0042695
  • Jason J. Sorensen & Erick Tieu, Andrew Sevy, Dakota M. Merriles, Christopher Nielson, Joshua C. Ewigleben, Michael D. Morse (2020). Bond dissociation energies of transition metal oxides: CrO, MoO, RuO, and RhO. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 153, 074303. Published, 08/17/2020.
    https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0021052
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E, Sevy A, Merriles DM, Nielson C, Ewigleben JC & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of transition metal oxides: CrO, MoO, RuO, and RhO. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 153, 074303. Published, 08/01/2020.
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E, Sevy A, Merriles DM, Nielson C, Ewigleben JC & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of transition metal oxides: CrO, MoO, RuO, and RhO. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 153, 074303. Published, 08/01/2020.
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of the diatomic late transition metal sulfides: RuS, OsS, CoS, RhS, IrS, and PtS. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 152, 244305. Published, 07/01/2020.
  • Merriles DM, Sevy A, Nielson C & Morse MD (2020). The bond dissociation energy of VO measured by resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 153, 024303. Published, 07/01/2020.
  • Merriles DM, Sevy A, Nielson C & Morse MD (2020). The bond dissociation energy of VO measured by resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 153, 024303. Published, 07/01/2020.
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of the diatomic late transition metal sulfides: RuS, OsS, CoS, RhS, IrS, and PtS. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 152, 244305. Published, 07/01/2020.
  • Jason J. Sorensen & Erick Tieu, Michael D. Morse (2020). Bond dissociation energies of the diatomic late transition metal sulfides: RuS, OsS, CoS, RhS, IrS, and PtS. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 152, 244305. Published, 06/22/2020.
    https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0011754
  • Dakota M. Merriles & Andrew Sevy, Christopher Nielson, Michael D. Morse (2020). The bond dissociation energy of VO measured by resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 153, 024303. Published, 06/19/2020.
    https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0014006
  • Jason J. Sorensen & Erick Tieu, Christopher Nielson, Andrew Sevy, Kimberly H. Tomchak, Michael D. Morse (2020). Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal sulfides: ScS, YS, TiS, ZrS, HfS, NbS, and TaS. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 152, 194307. Published, 05/21/2020.
    https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0009132
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal selenides: ScSe, YSe, RuSe, OsSe, CoSe, RhSe, IrSe, and PtSe. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 152, 124305. Published, 04/01/2020.
  • Sorensen JJ, Tieu E & Morse MD (2020). Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal selenides: ScSe, YSe, RuSe, OsSe, CoSe, RhSe, IrSe, and PtSe. The Journal of chemical physics. Vol. 152, 124305. Published, 04/01/2020.
  • Jason J. Sorensen & Erick Tieu, Michael D. Morse (2020). Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal selenides: ScSe, YSe, RuSe, OsSe, CoSe, RhSe, IrSe, and PtSe. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 152, 124305. Published, 03/31/2020.
    https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0003136
  • Dakota M. Merriles, Erick Tieu & Michael D. Morse (2019). Bond dissociation energies of FeB, CoB, NiB, RuB, RhB, OsB, IrB, and PtB. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 151, 044302. Published, 07/25/2019.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5113511
  • Andrew Sevy, Dakota M. Merriles, Rachel S. Wentz & Michael D. Morse (2019). Bond dissociation energies of ScSi, YSi, LaSi, ScC, YC, LaC, CoC, and YCH. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 151, 024302. Published, 07/09/2019.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5098330
  • Michael D. Morse (2019). Predissociation Measurements of Bond Dissociation Energies. Accts. Chem. Res. Vol. 52, 119-126. Published, 01/01/2019.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00526
  • Andrew Sevy, Erick Tieu & Michael D. Morse (2018). Bond Dissociation Energies of FeSi, RuSi, OsSi, CoSi, RhSi, IrSi, NiSi, and PtSi. J. Chem. Phys. Vol. 149, 174307/1-11. Published, 11/02/2018.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5050934
  • Andrew Sevy, Daniel J. Matthew & Michael D. Morse (2018). Bond Dissociation Energies of TiC, ZrC, HfC, ThC, NbC, and TaC. J. Chem. Phys. Vol. 149, 044306/1-12. Published, 07/27/2018.
    https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5041422
  • Andrew Sevy, Robert F. Huffaker & Michael D. Morse (2017). Bond Dissociation Energies of Tungsten Molecules: WC, WSi, WS, WSe, and WCl. Journal of Physical Chemistry A. Vol. 121, 9446-9457. Published, 11/22/2017.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.7b09704
  • Andrew Sevy, Jason J. Sorensen, Thomas D. Persinger, Jordan A. Franchina, Eric L. Johnson & Michael D. Morse (2017). Bond Dissociation Energies of TiSi, ZrSi, HfSi, VSi, NbSi, and TaSi. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 147, 084301/1-8. Published, 08/22/2017.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4986213
  • Daniel J. Matthew, Erick Tieu & Michael D. Morse (2017). Determination of the bond dissociation energies of FeX and NiX (X = C, S, Se). Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 146, 144310/1-10. Published, 04/13/2017.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4979679
  • Daniel J. Matthew, Sang Hoon Oh, Andrew Sevy, and Michael D. Morse, “The bond length and bond energy of gaseous CrW,” J. Chem. Phys. 144, 214306 (2016). Published, 06/03/2016.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4952453
  • Johnson, Eric L. & Morse, Michael D. (2015). The electronic band system of nickel acetylide, NiCCH. Informa UK Limited. , 1-12. Published, 09/14/2015.
  • Eric L. Johnson and Michael D. Morse, “Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled OsSi,” J. Chem. Phys., 143, 104303/1-12 (2015). Published, 09/08/2015.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4929483
  • Dale J. Brugh and Michael D. Morse, “Rotational analysis of the 301 band of the A 6Σ+ ← X 6Σ+ system of CrCCH,” J. Chem. Phys, 141, 064304/1-9 (2014). Published, 08/11/2014.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4890972
  • “Hyperfine Interactions and Electric Dipole Moments in the [16.0]1.5(v=6), [16.0]3.5(v=7) and X 2Δ5/2 States of Iridium Monosilicide, IrSi,” J. Phys. Chem. A, 2013, 117 (50), pp 13292–13302. Published, 07/01/2013.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp404950p
  • “Electronic spectroscopy of diatomic VC,” J. Phys. Chem. A, 2013, 117 (50), pp 13284–13291, appears in the T. A. Miller Festschrift. Published, 06/27/2013.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp404710s
  • “Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled UN: Determination of the ground state,”J. Chem. Phys. 138, 184303/1-7 (2013). Published, 05/08/2013.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4803472
  • “Electronic spectroscopy and electronic structure of diatomic IrSi,” J. Chem. Phys. 138, 154306/1-9 (2013). Published, 04/18/2013.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4801328
  • "Electronic spectroscopy and electronic structure of copper acetylide, CuCCH," J. Phys. Chem. A, 2013, 117 (39), pp 9860–9870 Oka Festschrift: Celebrating 45 Years of Astrochemistry. Published, 02/19/2013.
    http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp312841q

Research Statement

In Prof. Morse's laboratory, we seek to understand the chemical bonding between transition metal atoms and other transition metal atoms, and between transition metal atoms and ligands in unsaturated environments. We use laser spectroscopy as a tool to learn more about these complicated species, which are important in a variety of fields, ranging from metallurgy to catalysis.

Research Keywords

  • resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy
  • photodissociation action spectroscopy in ion traps
  • high-resolution optical spectroscopy
  • Transition Metals
  • Molecular Spectroscopy
  • Metal Clusters
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Catalysis
  • Atomic Spectroscopy

Presentations

  • Dakota M. Merriles, Joshua C. Ewigleben, Kimberly H. Tomchak, Tommy Kawagoe, and Michael D. Morse, "Electronic Structure, Spectroscopy, and Bond Dissociation Energies of Small Actinide Molecules" Presentation to the Gas Phase Chemical Physics Principal Investigators Meeting (DOE). Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 06/01/2023.
  • Dakota M. Merriles, Joshua C. Ewigleben, Kimberly H. Tomchak, Tommy Kawagoe, and Michael D. Morse, "Electronic Structure, Spectroscopy, and Bond Dissociation Energies of Small Actinide Molecules" Presentation to the Heavy Element Chemistry Principal Investigators Meeting (DOE) Gaithersburg, MD. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/24/2023.
  • Invited talk presented at the 7th International Conference on Chemical Bonding. My talk was entitled "Bond Dissociation Energies and Electronic Structure of d- and f-Block Molecules". Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 08/16/2022.
  • “Bond Dissociation Energies and Ionization Energies of Rhenium-Containing Small Molecules” presented at the International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy by my graduate student, Kimberly H. Tomchak. Coauthors on the work are Erick Tieu, Thomas T. Kawagoe, Jordan Derbidge, Keith T. Clark, and myself . Contributed Talk, Presented, 06/21/2022.
  • “Spectroscopic Studies of π-Backdonating Early Transition Metal and Monovalent Lanthanide Diborides” presented at the International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy by my graduate student, Dakota M. Merriles. Coauthors were Kimberly H. Tomchak, Christopher Nielson, and myself . Contributed Talk, Presented, 06/21/2022.
  • Invited talk presented to the Department of Chemistry at Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/31/2022.
  • “Employing resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy for the measurement of molecular predissociation thresholds,” presented by Dakota M. Merriles (graduate student) with coauthors Andrew Sevy, Christopher Nielson, and myself. Contributed Talk, Presented, 03/22/2022.
  • “Spectroscopic Studies of π-Backdonating Early Transition Metal and Monovalent Lanthanide Diborides” presented at the 2022 Spring University of Utah Graduate Student Conference by my graduate student, Dakota M. Merriles. Coauthors on the talk were Kim Tomchak (graduate student), Christopher Nielson (undergraduate), and myself. Contributed Talk, Presented, 02/22/2022.
  • “Bond Dissociation Energies of Rhenium Containing Molecules: ReC, ReC2, ReN, ReO, and ReS ” Presentation given at the 2022 Spring University of Utah Graduate Student Conference Given by Kim Tomchak with myself as a co-author . Contributed Talk, Presented, 02/22/2022.
  • "Spectroscopic Studies of Cryogenically-Cooled Cationic Metal-Containing Species", presented at the 2022 Spring University of Utah Graduate Student Conference by Joshua Ewigleben (graduate student). Contributed Talk, Presented, 02/22/2022.
  • Invited Presentation at the Saint Louis Section of the American Chemical Society in honor of the Saint Louis Award winner, Leah C. O'Brien. Presentation entitled "Predissociation Measurements of Bond Dissociation Energies". Invited Talk/Keynote, Submitted, 10/01/2021.
  • Presentation to Prof. Angela Wilson's Research Group, Michigan State University entitled "Predissociation Measurements of Bond Dissociation Energies". Presentation, Presented, 07/13/2021.
  • ACS National Meeting Bond dissociation energies of transition metal and lanthanide borides with resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy Dakota M. Merriles, Kimberly H. Tomchak, Erick Tieu, Christopher Nielson, and Michael D. Morse. Contributed Talk, Presented, 04/14/2021.
  • National Conference on Undergraduate Research "Early Transition-Metal Boride Bond Dissociation Energies" Dakota M. Merriles, Christopher Nielson, Erick Tieu, and Michael D. Morse. Poster, Submitted, 04/12/2021.
  • International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy Spectroscopic studies of transition metal and lanthanide borides with resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy Dakota M. Merriles, Kimberly H. Tomchak, Erick Tieu, Christopher Nielson, and Michael D. Morse. Contributed Talk, Submitted, 02/12/2021.
  • University of Utah Graduate Student Conference Spectroscopic Studies of Transition Metal Borides Dakota M. Merriles, Erick Tieu, Christopher Nielson, and Michael D. Morse. Presentation, Presented, 02/08/2021.
  • International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy Bond dissociation energies of diatomic lanthanide sulfides and selenides Jason J. Sorensen, Erick Tieu, and Michael D. Morse. Contributed Talk, Submitted, 02/05/2021.
  • Rocky Mountain Regional ACS Meeting Bond dissociation energies of transition metal borides Dakota M. Merriles, Christopher Nielson, Erick Tieu, and Michael D. Morse. Poster, Presented, 11/12/2020.
  • University of Utah Undergraduate Research Symposium Early Transition Metal Boride Bond Dissociation Energies Dakota M. Merriles, Christopher Nielson, Erick Tieu and Michael D. Morse. Poster, Presented, 04/20/2020.
  • “Spectroscopic and thermochemical studies of small metal molecules” Invited seminar presented at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/11/2019.
  • Bond Dissociation Energies of Late Transition Metal Sulfides Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research Jason J. Sorensen, Christopher Nielson, Erick Tieu, and Michael D. Morse. Poster, Presented, 08/01/2019.
  • International Conference on Chemical Bonding, Kauai, Hawaii, July 13-17, 2018 “Predissociation Measurements of Bond Dissociation Energies” Andrew Sevy, Jason J. Sorensen, Eric L. Johnson, Daniel J. Matthew, and Michael D. Morse . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 07/14/2018.
  • "Spectroscopy, Electronic Structure, and Bond Dissociation Energies of Small Transition Metal Molecules", presented at the Symposium in Honor of John P. Maier, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/04/2016.
  • Modern Optics and Spectroscopy Series, MIT, “Transition metal spectroscopy: From diatomic metals to the metal-carbon bond” . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/20/2015.
  • Electronic Spectra and Electronic Structure of Transition Metal Molecules, presented at the Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/17/2014.
  • International Conference on Chemical Bonding, Kauai, Hawaii, July 24-28, 2014 “Chemical Bonding in Diatomic Transition Metals” . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 07/25/2014.
  • ACS Symposium, Thermodynamics, Reactivity, and Spectroscopy of the Heavy Elements, ACS National Meeting, Dallas, Texas, March 16-20, 2014. "Spectroscopic studies of difficult diatomics: UN, TiFe, and ZrFe." . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/18/2014.
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Dec. 5, 2013 “Electronic Spectra and Electronic Structure of Transition Metal Molecules” . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 12/05/2013.

Research Groups

  • Yexalen Barrera-Casas, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 08/21/2023 - 06/01/2028. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Currently supported as a TA.
  • Thomas Kawagoe, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 08/22/2022 - 06/30/2027. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Currently supported on my DOE grant.
  • Yexalen Barrera-Casas, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 06/01/2022 - 05/31/2023. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Supported from my College of Science Fostering Undergraduate Excellence Award and my NSF grant.
  • Annie S. Knapp, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 06/01/2022 - 08/15/2022. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: REU student from St. Lawrence College.
  • Isabelle Smith, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 06/01/2022 - 05/31/2023. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Supported by my College of Science Fostering Undergraduate Excellence Award and my NSF grant.
  • Keith Clark, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 06/01/2021 - 08/15/2021. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: REU student from George Mason University.
  • Tommy Kawagoe, Visiting Student. Chemistry, Grand Canyon University. 06/01/2021 - 08/15/2021.
  • Matthew Baldwin, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 09/01/2020 - 05/31/2021.
  • Jordan Derbidge, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 09/01/2020 - 12/31/2021.
  • Dakota M. Merriles, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 06/30/2023. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Supported on my NSF grant.
  • Anthony London, Technician. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 02/28/2021.
  • Christopher Nielson, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 07/30/2021.
  • Erick Tieu, Technician. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 09/15/2021.
  • Kimberly Tomchak, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 06/30/2024. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Supported on my NSF grant.
  • Joshua Ewigleben, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2020 - 06/30/2024. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Supported on my DOE grant.
  • Andrew Sevy, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 10/16/2019.
  • Anthony B. London, Technician. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019.
  • Christopher Nielson, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019.
  • Erick Tieu, Technician. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019.
  • Dakota Merriles, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019.
  • Jason Sorensen, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019.
  • Anthony London, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 09/03/2018 - present.
  • Chris Nielson, Undergraduate Student. Chemistry. 06/15/2018 - present.
  • Dakota Merriles, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2018 - present.
  • Dakota Merriles, Graduate Student. Chemistry. 01/01/2018 - 12/31/2021.

Languages

  • French, basic.
  • German, functional.