The Baker group’s research applies X-ray and neutron spectroscopy measurements to understand the electronic structure and magnetism of metal ions and clusters. This research involves applying a wide range of large scale facility techniques alongside computational methods, with a particular emphasis on resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). Research projects that are currently underway include:

Quantification of actinide physicochemical properties

We are interested in obtaining an accurate understanding of actinide structure-property relationships. To achieve this, we combine advanced synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy methods (RIXS, XANES, XES, XMCD) with semi-empirical and ab initio theories. We focus on simple periodic trends to systematically investigate how symmetry, oxidation state and ligand atom influence properties. See, for instance, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 32, 22570–22582.

Electrons in atoms and molecules for quantum technologies 

We are interested in how unusual oxidation states and electronic configurations can be exploited to tailor electronic structure and paramagnetism. We apply neutron and X-ray spectroscopies to correlate structures to spin dynamics in molecules and dopants in crystals and on surfaces. See, for instance, Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 2433-2442.

Bio-inorganic chemistry: catalysis at transition metal active sites

We apply advanced X-ray spectroscopies to quantify metal-ligand covalency in various bio-inorganic systems with active Fe, Co, and Cu sites. See, for instance, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 34, 18977–18991.

Mike Baker is Senior Lecturer and Diamond Light Source – Manchester Research Fellow. He completed his undergraduate studies (Physics BSc Hons.) at the University of Exeter. He obtained a PhD in neutron spectroscopy from the University of Manchester via an Institut Laue Langevin fellowship. He was a Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Material Research, Tohoku University, applying pulsed magnetic fields to EPR and XMCD spectroscopies under the supervision of Prof. Hiroyuki Nojiri. He then spent a short stint in New York City with Prof. Myriam Sarachik (CCNY, Dept. Physics) and Prof. Andy Kent (NYU, Dept. Physics) before obtaining a Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship from the Human Frontiers Science Program to work with Prof. Edward I. Solomon at Stanford, Dept. Chemistry.

In 2018 he was appointed as Diamond Light Source – Manchester Research Fellow at the University of Manchester at Harwell and Department of Chemistry. In 2020 he was awarded a Community for Analytical Measurement Fellowship. In 2021 he obtained a New Investigator Award from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. In 2024, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer.