Richard Zare

Richard Zare is a prominent American chemist known for his research in physical chemistry, particularly in the fields of laser spectroscopy and chemical kinetics. He is a professor at Stanford University and has made significant contributions to the understanding of chemical reactions and molecular dynamics. Recently, he was in the news for leading a study that provides a scientific explanation for the phenomenon of 'Irrlichter' or will-o'-the-wisps, revealing how spontaneous electrical discharges from methane bubbles can create the ghostly blue flames historically reported in swamps and graveyards.