Professor Ferrante's primary research interest lies in the use of spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, ESR) for the elucidation of the geometric and electronic structures of unstable or highly reactive molecules, both organic and inorganic. Such molecules appear as intermediates or degradation fragments in chemical or photochemical reactions, or can be found in the vapors over refractory solids, in stellar atmospheres, or in other high temperature environments. These very reactive species can be observed in the laboratory by use of the matrix-isolation technique, which entails trapping them in an inert solid host (typically solid Ar or N2) at very low temperatures (near 10 K). Under such conditions, these highly unusual molecules can be preserved indefinitely, and their spectra can be readily obtained and examined for structural and mechanistic implications.

A related interest involves low temperature spectroscopic studies of samples designed to model the observed or predicted structure and composition of comets. Most of this work is performed at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.   Check out the Cosmic Ices Laboratory web page at:

                         http://www-691.gsfc.nasa.gov/cosmic.ice.lab/index.htm