CAREER: Laser Spectroscopy for Real World Applications

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This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, focusses on the development of laser based single wavelength detection spectroscopy as a highly sensitive and selective detection scheme. Professor Chen and his undergraduate students at Spellman College will experimentally determine the capabilities of this detection scheme as applied to Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The objective is to characterize the extent to which unwanted spectral interferences caused by fluorescence and absorption effects can be eliminated from the analytical signals being measured. This CAREER research project will expose African American women students to a newly developed laser laboratory experience through hands-on experiments. As one of the nation's two Historically Black Colleges and Universities for women, this underrepresented minority student population at Spellman College will have the opportunity to use this new laser laboratory and be stimulated to consider the opportunities for them in science and engineering as career options. The development and characterization of laser based methods for quantitative analysis in a broad range of scientific areas is the focus of this CAREER research project. Single wavelength detection spectroscopy will be studied by Professor Chen and his students at Spellman College in the new laser based laboratory that has already been developed. Undergraduate students in this women's Historically Black College and University institution will gain hands-on experience in the operation and use of lasers in state-of-the-art analytical measurements. An innovative course integrating lasers, optics, and spectroscopy is being taught using this laboratory facility through a cooperative effort by chemistry, physics, and mathematics faculty.