We have a purpose-built ATR spectrometer with variable angle capabilities, Variable angle of Incidence Evanescent Wave Spectrometer (VIEWS). VIEWS measures the amount of species at an interface by utilising standard ATR methodologies. By varying the angle of incident light, we are able to depth profile into a surface layer and obtain density distribution profiles of macromolecules such as polymers and proteins.
We can also use our ATR instrument to perform dichroic ratio analyses of ordered structures such as surfactant layers and membranes to measure alignment.
An exciting extension of our evanescent wave surface spectroscopy work is into the time domain and the realms of ultra-fast time-resolved fluorescence. We have built a time-resolved evanescent wave induced fluorescence rig (TR-EWIFS). TR-EWIFS can be used to perform time-resolved (picosecond) fluorescence life-time and anisotropy measurements, EW-TRAMS, on macromolecules such as 
polymers and proteins at the solid/liquid interface. The fluorescence decay kinetics provides information on chain conformation of a polymer or protein at an interface. EW-TRAMS measures the rate at which fluorescence emission is depolarised, reporting on chain segmental motion at an interface on the nanosecond time scale.
TR-EWIFS experiment in progress
We use our various evanescent wave spectroscopy methods to study polymer film structure and chain dynamics, proteins adsorption and protein-membrane interactions.
Tuning one of the lasers in the Ultrafast Spectroscopy labs
Schematic drawing of the VIEWS ATR spectrometer
