Michael Kasha
Encyclopedia
Michael Kasha is an American physical chemist and molecular spectroscopist
who is one of the original founders of the Institute of Molecular Biophysics at Florida State University
(FSU). Born in Elizabeth, NJ to a family of Ukrainian immigrants, he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from University of California at Berkeley in 1945, working with renowned physical chemist G.N. Lewis.
He is a Distinguished University Research Professor at FSU. He is an elected member of both the National Academy of Sciences
and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, as well as the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
.
The research in his molecular spectroscopy laboratory has maintained a strong tradition of the discovery and elucidation of excitation mechanisms, with particular application to photochemical and biophysical problems. His most important achievements include identifying triplet states as source of phosphorescence
emission, formulating the Kasha rule
on fluorescence
, and his work on singlet
molecular oxygen
.
Kasha is also known for his interest in improving the sound quality and durability of the accoustic guitar and the classic string instruments. His guitar design is patented and is known as "Kasha guitar". A 30-year collaboration with luthier
Michael Schneider led to a series of innovative changes to the traditional classical guitar.
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
who is one of the original founders of the Institute of Molecular Biophysics at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
(FSU). Born in Elizabeth, NJ to a family of Ukrainian immigrants, he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from University of California at Berkeley in 1945, working with renowned physical chemist G.N. Lewis.
He is a Distinguished University Research Professor at FSU. He is an elected member of both the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, as well as the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
The International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science is an international scientific learned society covering all applications of quantum theory to chemistry and chemical physics. It was created in Menton in 1967. The founding members were Raymond Daudel, Per-Olov Löwdin, Robert G. Parr, John...
.
The research in his molecular spectroscopy laboratory has maintained a strong tradition of the discovery and elucidation of excitation mechanisms, with particular application to photochemical and biophysical problems. His most important achievements include identifying triplet states as source of phosphorescence
Phosphorescence
Phosphorescence is a specific type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately re-emit the radiation it absorbs. The slower time scales of the re-emission are associated with "forbidden" energy state transitions in quantum...
emission, formulating the Kasha rule
Kasha's rule
Kasha's rule is a principle in the photochemistry of electronically excited molecules. The rule states that photon emission occurs in appreciable yield only from the lowest excited state of a given multiplicity...
on fluorescence
Fluorescence
Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation...
, and his work on singlet
Singlet oxygen
Singlet oxygen is the common name used for the diamagnetic form of molecular oxygen , which is less stable than the normal triplet oxygen. Because of its unusual properties, singlet oxygen can persist for over an hour at room temperature, depending on the environment...
molecular oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
.
Kasha is also known for his interest in improving the sound quality and durability of the accoustic guitar and the classic string instruments. His guitar design is patented and is known as "Kasha guitar". A 30-year collaboration with luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
Michael Schneider led to a series of innovative changes to the traditional classical guitar.
Literature
External links
- Florida State University faculty profile
- Michael Kasha Lecture Video Lecture provided by the Vega Science Trust.