Prof. Ilana Bar
Born: 1950, Romania
Academic Qualifications:
    Academic Positions:
    Department of Physics - Professor
    Research Interests:
    Molecular Dynamics and Laser Spectroscopy, Detection of Chemical Species, Pulsed Laser Deposition
    Research Projects:
    Probing dynamics and structure of molecules using laser spectroscopy
    Label-free detection of nano-biochip arrays
    Detection of explosives via laser spectroscopy
    Abstracts of Current Research:
    • Probing dynamics and structure of molecules using laser spectroscopy : One area of active research is the study of dynamics, structure and bond cleavage in gas phase molecules utilizing pulsed lasers. These characteristics are probed via spectral signatures of the species with various spectroscopies, employing tunable lasers spanning the infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. In particular, we seek for the possibility of controlling bond fission via energy deposition in different skeletal motions of molecules. The major goals are to find ways for selecting desired reaction pathways, for altering state distributions, for developing an understanding regarding vibrational energy flow within molecules, and for finding non-statistical behavior so that it can be predicted and may be even controlled by lasers. Another research project involves the development of a new spectroscopic method for the study of floppy biomolecules. This is due to the crucial role that conformations and shapes of molecular constituents involved in biological processes play in determining their selectivity and functionality. The exploration of these properties is thus a prerequisite for gaining molecular-level understanding of the complex dynamics of these processes. Structures and interactions of biomolecules are of fundamental importance in elucidating the mechanisms of biological processes and might have implications on designing drugs that mimic, activate or suppress the function of bioactive systems.
    • Detection of explosives : Rapid detection of hazardous materials, particularly explosives, turns to be an increasingly important task, requiring additional approaches for remote detection of certain molecular species. Vibrational spectroscopy is well suited for their identification, providing spectral signatures and recognition of specific compounds. We try to use spontaneous Raman and Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopies to detect solid particles of explosives and explosives related compounds and particularly to assess the conditions for obtaining higher sensitivities for the latter.
    • Label-free detection of nano-biochip arrays : We are studying biochip-arrays, which are concerned with the specific and simultaneous profiling of biological markers, while hosting recognition sites for the analysis of multiple parameters. We focus on the possibility of combining the nano fountain pen (NFP) method for printing nanoscale features with controlled surface densities with Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies for establishing a platform for imaging of protein-protein or antibody-protein interactions. The common strategies used for creating biochips and for reading them have extensive limitations, motivating development of miniature biochips and label-free formats for identification of biochemical activities. The fusing of NFP with Raman spectroscopies will allow obtaining the fingerprints of the studied systems and assessing their response, which may lead to exquisite sensitivity and specificity in biodetection, improving medical diagnostics and biomedical research, and enabling monitoring of toxins and microorganisms in the environment (in collaboration with Dr. Gheber Levi A. - Department of Biotechnology Engineering).
    Publications:
    • A. Portnov, S. Rosenwaks, and I. Bar. "Detection of explosive particles via backward coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy" Appl. Phys. Lett. 93: 041115 (1-3) (2008)
    • A. Zwielly, A. Portnov, C. Levi, S. Rosenwaks, and I. Bar . Rovibrational Spectroscopy and Intramolecular Dynamics of 1,2-trans-d2-Ethene in the First C-H Stretch Overtone Region J. Chem. Phys. 128: 114305 (1-6) (2008)
    • C. Levi, J.M.L. Martin, and I. Bar. Fundamental Vibrational Frequencies and Dominant Resonances in Methylamine Isotopologues by Ab Initio and Density Functional Theory Methods J. Comput. Chem. 29: 1268 - 1276 (2008)
    • C. Levi, G. J. Halász, Á. Vibók, I. Bar, Y. Zeiri, R. Kosloff, and M. Baer. An intraline of conical intersections for methylamine J. Chem. Phys. 128: 244302 (1-6) (2008)
    • R. Marom, U. Zecharia, S. Rosenwaks, and I. Bar. Vibrational Overtone Spectra of N-H Stretches and Intramolecular Dynamics on the Ground and Electronically Excited States of Methylamine J. Chem. Phys. 128 : 154319 (1-10) (2008)
    • R. Marom, U. Zecharia, S. Rosenwaks, and I. Bar. Propensities toward H Photofragments in Photodissociation of CD3NH2 Pre-excited to the First N-H Stretch Overtone Mol. Phys. 106 : 213 – 222 (2008)
    • D. Zemsky, R. Shneck, P.J. Dagdigian and I. Bar. Structure and Morphology of Pulsed Laser Deposited Boron Carbide Films: Influence of Deposition Geometry" J. Appl. Phys. 102: 104309 (1-8) (2007)
    Keywords:Molecular Dynamics, Laser Spectroscopy, Detection of Chemical Species, Pulsed Laser Deposition.
    Phones:
    1. Phone: 972-8-6461571
    Email:ibar@bgu.ac.il