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M. Bonner Denton, Department of Chemistry, The University of Arizona
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M. Bonner Denton


Galileo Fellow, University of Arizona, Professor of Chemistry and Geoscience
Fellow, AAAS, Professor of Chemistry
Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry
Fellow, Society for Applied Spectroscopy, Professor of Chemistry
mbdenton@u.arizona.edu
Chemical Sciences Building 430
Phone: (520) 621-8246
Fax: (520) 621-8272

Honors


  • Broadest Bandwidth Award (greatest range of applications & neuron use), 2005 Scientific Detectors in, 2005
  • Royal Society of Chemistry Theophilus Redwood Lecturer, 2004
  • ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award in Spectrochemical Analysis, 2001
  • The Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award, 1998
  • University of Arizona Excellence in Teaching Award, 1993
  • SAS Lester Strock Award, 1991

Education and Appointments


  • B.S. 1967, Lamar State College of Technology
  • B.A. 1967, Lamar State College of Technology
  • Ph.D. 1972, University of Illinois

Research Interests


  • Analytical
  • Instrumentation
  • Materials Synthesis and Characterization
  • Gas Phase Structure and Spectroscopy

Research Summary

Analytical Spectroscopy/Mass Spectrometry/Laboratory Automation

  • "The latest technological advances in electronics, physics, optics, acoustics, mechanical engineering and computer science are being utilized to develop new and improved analytical spectrochemical techniques. A multifaceted but strongly interlocking program designed to elucidate fundamental phenomena occurring in systems employed for spectrochemical analysis is currently underway. Fundamental theoretical knowledge obtained in these studies is being applied toward the development of more accurate and sensitive analytical techniques.

    Over the past fifteen years, focal plane array detectors have brought an amazing revolution to analytical spectroscopy, providing increased sensitivity, dynamic range, and improved background correction. New generations of these detectors are being developed and applied to a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including fluorescence, phosphorescence, Raman, and atomic emission analysis. Raman spectroscopy utilizing advanced instrumental concepts, including far-UV laser excitation, is being investigated. Applications including pharmaceutical analysis, gem and mineral identification, and advanced techniques for process control are under study. Emphasis is currently being placed on approaches for rapid, sensitive simultaneous analysis of multiple trace level species.

    A variety of projects are under way in the area of mass spectrometry, including the development of improved ion sources and sample introduction techniques. Advanced vacuum ultraviolet lasers are being utilized to provide selective photoionization of specified molecules and applied to chemotherapy research.

    A program to develop new array detector technologies for mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry is rapidly advancing. Current results promise to revolutionize detection schemes for both techniques.



    • Selected Publications

      "The Impact of Array Detectors for Raman Spectroscopy," Stephen Denson, Carolyn Pommier, and M. Bonner Denton, J. Chem. Ed., Vol. 84, No. 1, 67-74 (2007).

    • "Characterization of a Second-Generation Focal-Plane Camera Coupled to an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mattauch-Herzog Geometry Mass Spectrograph," Gregory D. Schilling, Francisco J. Andrade, James H. Barnes IV, Roger P. Sperline, M. Bonner Denton, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal, and Gary M. Hieftje, Analytical Chemistry 78, 4319-4325 (2006).

    • ""Electrothermal vaporization coupled with inductively coupled plasma array detector mass spectrometry for the multielement analysis of AI2O3 ceramic powders," Birgit U. Peschel, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Gregory D. Schilling, Gary M. Hieftje, Jose A. C. Broekaert, Roger P. Sperline, M. Bonner Denton, Charles J. Barinaga, and David W. Koppenaal, Spectrochimica Acta Part B 61 pp. 42-49 (2006).

    • ""Advanced Detector and Optical Fabrication Technologies for Implementing Improved Spectroscopic Instrumentation: The Use of a CTIA Detector in Ion Mobility Spectrometry," M. Bonner Denton, Andrew K. Knight, Roger P. Sperline, and Christopher A. Gresham,in Scientific Detectors for Astronomy 2005, Explorers of the Photon Odyssey, Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Jenna E. Beletic, James W. Beletic, and Paola Amico, Eds.; Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Vol. 336, pp. 207-216 (2006).

    • "Read-noise Characterization of Focal Plane Array Detectors via Mean-Variance Analysis," R. P. Sperline, A. K. Knight, C. A. Gresham, D. W. Koppenaal, G. M. Hieftje, and M. B. Denton, Applied Spectroscopy 59-11, 1315-1323 (2005).

    • "Mass Spectrometry Detectors," D.W. Koppenaal, C.J. Barinaga, M.B. Denton, R.P. Sperline, G.M. Hieftje, G.D. Schilling, F.J. Andrade, and J. A. Barnes IV, Analytical Chemistry, November 1, 2005, 419A-427A.

    • "Raman and X-Ray Investigations of LiFeSi2O6 Under Pressure," Carolyn J. S. Pommier, Robert T. Downs, Marilena Stimpfl, Günther J. Redhammer, and M. Bonner Denton, J. Raman Spectroscopy 36 (9), 864-871 (2005).

    • "“Advances in Array Detectors for X-ray Diffraction Techniques,” Quentin S. Hanley and M. Bonner Denton, J. Synchrotron Radiation 12, 618-625 (2005).

    • "Advances in Array Detectors for X-ray Diffraction Techniques," Quentin S. Hanley and M. Bonner Denton, J. Synchrotron Radiation 12, 618-625 (2005).

    • "Evaluation of a hydrogen laser vacuum ultraviolet source for photoionization mass spectrometry of pharmaceuticals," Jeffrey W. Finch, Kevin A. Toerne, Karl H. Schram, and M. Bonner Denton, Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 19, 15-22 (2005).

    • "Simultaneous Multichannel Mass-Specific Detection for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Using an Array Detector Sector-Field Mass Spectrometer," James H. Barnes IV, Gregory D. Schilling, Steven F. Stone, Roger P. Sperline, M. Bonner Denton, Erick T. Young, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal and Gary M. Hieftje, Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry 380, 227-234 (2004).