Richard A. Copeland
Director
Molecular Physics Laboratory

Richard Copeland was named Director of the Molecular Physics Laboratory in 2000. His areas of expertise include collisional energy transfer, laser-induced fluorescence, multiphoton ionization, flame diagnostics, polyatomic spectroscopy, kinetic modeling, and photophysics of cryogenic solids.

At SRI, Dr. Copeland has led research teams on a range of projects, including:

• Kinetics and collisional energy transfer in electronically excited oxygen molecules for airglow modeling
• Measurement of energy transfer for both atmospheric monitoring and combustion diagnostics
• Laser-induced fluorescence and photoacoustic detection of transient molecules in flames and above surfaces
• Collision dynamics and two-photon excitation of nitrogen and oxygen atoms
• Ultrafast laser development
• Development of space shuttle thermal protection materials
• Thermal blanket waterproofing

Dr. Copeland is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Geophysical Union. He is the author of more than 75 publications on collisional energy transfer, flame and atmospheric diagnostics, and spectroscopy.

He holds a B.S. in chemistry (1977) from Valparaiso University and a Ph.D. (1982) in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. His studies included a postdoctoral fellowship at SRI International.

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