Ben Laws

Dr. Ben Laws is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW), collaborating with the Schmidt and Kable research groups. Prior to joining UNSW in 2020, he spent six years at the Australian National University (ANU) as a Postdoctoral Fellow and PhD student in the Research School of Physics.

• PhD (ANU, 2018)
• BSc (Hons 1) (ANU, 2014)
• BSc (University of Canterbury, 2013)

His research focuses on gas-phase studies of radicals and ions using advanced laser spectroscopic techniques such as Velocity Map Imaging (VMI) and Resonantly Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI). Key areas include Astrochemistry, investigating interstellar molecules like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as candidates for Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs), and Negative Ions, exploring isomerization reactions and atmospheric relevance.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals trends in Photoelectron Imaging, Vibronic Coupling, and Interstellar Chemistry, with a focus on radicals and anions in combustion, atmospheric systems, and astrophysical environments. He supervises PhD student Zachariah Levey, whose work addresses PAH growth mechanisms and DIB carrier identification.

Dr. Laws works in Lab 623, Science & Engineering Building (E8), Kensington Campus, UNSW, and can be contacted via b.laws@unsw.edu.au.