Education: 

Ph.D. (Chemistry) 1996, University of Southern California

M.S. (Physics & Math) 1992, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Fields of Study: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

Research Interests: 

The Sanov Group research focuses on experimental probes of the electronic structure of atomic, molecular and cluster anions, neutral radicals and diradicals, as well as transient species in ground and excited states. Our experiments offer an in-depth look at molecular bonding motifs and reactivity, made possible by photoelectron imaging spectroscopy.

• Principal research directions:
• Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy of negative ions
• Photoelectron angular distributions in anion photodetachment
• Characterization of exotic anions and neutral reactive intermediates
• Time-resolved photoelectron imaging
• Cluster chemistry and interactions of electrons with solvent molecules

We aim to attain a molecular-level view of the fundamental driving force of chemistry: the electronic structure transformations in reactions and intermolecular interactions. As chemical bonding is controlled by electrons, it is their behavior that determines the molecular potential energy landscapes and ultimately controls the outcomes of reactions.

Honors and Awards: 

2016, Distinguished Career Teaching Award, College of Science, University of Arizona

2013, Innovation in Teaching Award, College of Science, University of Arizona

2011, Weed Distinguished Professor (Homer and Emily Weed Endowed Chair), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona

2005, Favorite Teacher Award, Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, University of Arizona

2004, Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation

2002, Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

2002, Beckman Young Investigator Award, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

2002, Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, National Science Foundation

Selected Publications: 

A. R. Dixon, T. Xue, and A. Sanov. Spectroscopy of Ethylenedione. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.54, 8764-8767 (2015).

D. Khuseynov, C. C. Blackstone, L. M. Culberson, and A. Sanov. Photoelectron angular distributions for states of any mixed character: An experiment-friendly model for atomic, molecular and cluster anions. J. Chem. Phys. 141, 124312 (2014).

A. Sanov. Laboratory-Frame Photoelectron Angular Distributions in Anion Photodetachment: Insight into Electronic Structure and Intermolecular Interactions. Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 65, 341-363 (2014).

R. Mabbs, K. Pichugin, and A. Sanov. Dynamic molecular interferometer: Probe of inversion symmetry in I2- photodissociation. J. Chem. Phys. 123, 054329 (2005).

R. Mabbs, K. Pichugin, and A. Sanov. Time-resolved imaging of the reaction coordinate. J. Chem. Phys. 122, 174305 (2005).