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 complex plasma 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.  Some of the specific interests in this field include investigation of interference effects, development of a number of new approaches for improving sensitivity, and exploring unique concepts of multielemental analysis.  One example currently under rigorous investigation involves the use of an inductively coupled plasma as a specific multielement detector for gas and liquid chromatographies.  The use of spatially resolved spectroscopic techniques to study processes occurring in complex heterogeneous plasmas used in the semiconductor fabrication field is being studied.

A variety of projects are underway in the area of mass spectrometry, including the development of improved ion sources and sample introduction techniques.  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 in both techniques.

New, extremely sensitive array detectors are being studied and applied to a variety of areas of optical spectroscopy.  New concepts utilizing array detectors for ultra‑trace determination in HPLC, CZE, TLC and related separation techniques are being explored.  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 analysis of multiple trace level species.

“The Development of a Micro-Faraday Array for Ion Detection,” A. Knight, R. Sperline, G. Hieftje, E. Young, C. Barinaga, D. Koppenaal, and M. B. Denton, in special issue "Detectors and the Measurement of Mass Spectra," K. Birkinshaw, ed., Intl. J. Mass Spectrometry, 215, 1-3 (2002).

"Ion Mobility Spectrometry Utilizing Micro-Faraday Finger Array Detector Technology," S. Denson, M. B. Denton, R. Sperline, P. Rodacy, and C. Gresham, Intl. J. Ion Mobility Spectrometry, 5-3, 100-103 (2002).

Array Detectors for Raman Spectroscopy, C. Pommier, L. Walton, T. Ridder and M. B. Denton, In Handbook of Vibrational Spectroscopy; J. Chalmers and P. Griffiths, Eds; John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, UK (2001) Vol. 1, pp 507–521.

"High-Precision, Simultaneous Analysis of Pt, Pd and Rh in Catalytic Converter Samples by Carius Tube Dissolution and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Charge-Injection Device Detection," F. Pennebaker and M. B. Denton, Applied Spectroscopy, 55 (4), 504-509 (2001).

"Precision and Noise in Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Charge-Injection Device Detection," F. Pennebaker and M. B. Denton, Applied Spectroscopy, 55 (6),722-729 (2001).

"Fluorescence Quenching High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Analysis Utilizing a Scientifically Operated Charge-Coupled Device Detector," R. Simon, Y. Liang and M. B. Denton, The Analyst, 126 (4), 446-450 (2001).