| Current Research Projects |
| Our principle research projects are
in the following areas: |
|
|
Laser Based Sensor for Hall Thruster Erosion Measurements |
|
Quartz Crystal Microbalance Based Sputter Measurements |
| Updated: 11-7-11 |
|
Updated: 12-14-09 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Hall thruster lifetimes are limited
primarily by acceleration channel erosion. We developed a laser
based sensor with continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy
to measure the sputtering rate in near-real-time.
more... |
|
We use a quartz crystal microbalance to
make very high sensitivity differential and total measurements
of sputter yields over a full hemisphere for target materials of
all types.
more... |
|
|
|
|
Laser Measurement of Combustion Pollutants in Algae-Derived Biodiesel |
|
Boron Nitride Sputtering Measurements |
| Updated: 9-1-10 |
|
Updated: 2-2-11 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Through the use of laser spectroscopy we
conduct experiments to compare the pollutants such as NOx
emitted by biodiesel produced from algae to that produced
through classical means.
more... |
|
We study sputtering of boron nitride (BN),
which is used as an acceleration channel wall material in
stationary plasma thrusters (SPTs).
more... |
|
|
|
|
Laser Ignition of Internal Combustion Engines |
|
Sensitive and Versatile Tropospheric HCl Instrument |
| Updated: 7-12-10 |
|
Updated: 7-20-10 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| We demonstrate the use of fiber optics for
laser ignition of natural gas engines.
more... |
|
The role of tropospheric HCl in atmospheric
halogen chemistry is largely unknown, but speculated to be
important in storage mechanisms involving NOx
dark reactions and marine pollution. NOAA is collaborating with
our group to help understand this situation.
more... |
|
|
|
|
Prism Based Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy |
|
Plasma-Enhanced Combustion in an Oil Burning Furnace |
| Updated: 12-14-09 |
|
Updated: 11-11-11 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| We address the shortcomings of CRDS in the
UV region by implementing a prism based high-finesse optical
cavity, allowing increased sensitivity of sputtering
measurements.
more... |
|
With the collaboration of Clean Diesel LLC, their design of a Plasma-Enhanced
Ignition System is to be tested and developed to increase the efficiency of oil
burners.
more... |
|
|
|
|
Laser Bone Drilling for Improved Allografts |
|
|
| Updated: 11-14-11 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
We are studying the advantages of laser drilling as a possible method
to increase the surface area to volume ratio of allografts.
more... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Past Research Projects |
|
|
Hollow Core and Photonic Crystal Fibers for High Power Pulse
Delivery |
|
Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy for Sputter Measurements and End-Point Detection |
| Updated: 12-14-09 |
|
Updated: 12-14-09 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| We demonstrate the use of hollow core
fibers and photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) for high-power laser
delivery for laser ignition.
more... |
|
We use cavity ring-down spectroscopy to
measure the species-specific sputtering particle number density
and velocity, and apply this technique to multicomponent
material sputtering.
more... |
|
|
|
|
Engine Air-Fuel Ratio from Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
(LIBS) |
|
| Updated: 12-4-09 |
|
|
|
 |
|
| We demonstrate the first simultaneous use
of laser sparks for laser ignition of a single cylinder natural
gas engine and in-cylinder cycle-resolved air-fuel ratio
measurement.
more... |
|
|
|
