The Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Microtechnology Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has two central themes: the analysis of domains and interfaces with micro- to nanometer length scales and innovations in mass spectrometry. This effort combines a number of disciplines including chemical analysis, laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chemical separations, micro- and nanofluidics, microfabrication, instrument design, and materials science. Our laser spectroscopy activities include single molecule and single nanoparticle spectroscopy, ultrafast spectroscopy for chemical imaging at a 10-nm length scale and for dynamics, real-time chemical characterization of individual aerosol particles including biological, environmental, and combustion particles, and nonlinear optical spectroscopy of surface-bound species. Chemical vapor deposition and characterization of thin nano-textured diamond films is underway, targeted for their use as robust accelerator stripping foils. Chemical microtechnology activities include micro- and nanofluidics and microfabrication of ion mobility and ion trap mass spectrometers. Microfluidics devices are being developed for high performance chemical separations and integration of chemical processing steps. The fluidics activities are primarily directed toward the analysis of biological materials, e.g., proteomics. The micro mass and ion mobility spectrometry efforts are currently directed toward environmental monitoring and isotopic enrichment determination problems. A mass spectrometer useful for analysis of species at ultra-high mass (> 100 KDa) is under development.

For more information, contact Bob Shaw at (865) 574-4882.