Christopher Brazier

Dr. Christopher Brazier is a Professor of Physical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California State University, Long Beach, holding the position since 2001. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including General Chemistry (CHEM 111A), Physical Chemistry (CHEM 371A/B), Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 373), and Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHEM 572).

His research specializes in applying spectroscopic techniques to characterize small gas phase molecules, particularly free radicals such as B2, AlC, AlB, and SiB. He utilizes a corona excited supersonic expansion (CESE) source that combines high-voltage electrical discharge with supersonic helium flow to generate rotationally cold but vibrationally excited molecules. Emission spectra are captured using a 1.3m spectrometer with CCD detection, with higher-resolution analysis conducted at Kitt Peak National Observatory's Fourier transform spectrometer.

Dr. Brazier's laboratory work involves real-time optimization of the CESE apparatus to study electronic transitions and molecular bonding in transient species. This research provides fundamental insights into molecular energetics and electronic state properties that are challenging to observe through conventional methods.