Theory-guided Interpretation of Actinide Spectroscopy and Electronic Structure

Research overview

Our research uses quantum chemistry methods to understand the electronic structure of f-element compounds; these exhibit complex electronic behaviour due to strong electron correlation and relativistic effects, making them among the most challenging systems in chemistry. We develop and apply advanced electronic structure methods to predict spectroscopic properties, understand chemical bonding, and explain magnetic behaviour. Through close collaboration with experimental researchers, we ensure that our theoretical approaches are as close as possible to experimental reality.


Computational X-ray Spectroscopy of Actinides

We use multiconfigurational quantum chemical methods for simulating X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies, enabling direct comparison with high-resolution experiments like resonant inelastic X-ray scattering.

X-ray spectroscopy


Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding

We use correlated electronic structure and density functional theory methods to investigate the nature of bonding across the lanthanide and actinide series.

Selected publications
ChemRxiv, 2026.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026, 148, 11758–11768.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 64, 242–254.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2024, 146, 4098–4111.

Electronic structure


Magnetism of f-Element Complexes

We combine electronic structure theory with experiment to understand magnetic anisotropy and relaxation mechanisms of molecular magnetism.

Selected publications
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026, 148, 2942–2953.
Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 65, 12541–12556.
Chemical Science, 2024, 15, 3003–3010.

Magnetic properties