skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Assessment of research needs for laser technologies applied to advanced spectrographic methods

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5726211· OSTI ID:5726211

The Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes that new developments in laser technology and laser spectroscopy can substantially improve the ability to carry out the mission of its Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER). In brief, the mission of OHER is to support programs of research which provide the knowledge necessary for DOE to protect the human health and the environment from potentially adverse effects associated with the production and utilization of energy resources. For some years, the OHER program has included some support for the development of laser technology, and especially laser spectroscopy. This support has provided the bases for the demonstration of remarkably sensitive laser systems for the detection of chemical substances at the atomic and the molecular levels. At the present time, both laser technology and laser spectroscopy are surging ahead at an unprecedented rate. Thus, DOE requested that its Office of Program Analysis conduct a study to identify the opportunities in this laser revolution to further enhance the role of laser spectroscopy in the OHER mission. This DOE study was managed by Consultec Scientific, Inc., who furnished from its staff the Principal Investigator, who, in turn, coordinated the enthusiastic efforts of a group of consultants consisting of some of the world's best scientists in the development and use of laser technology for spectroscopic purposes. This expert panel, during the course of its study, took a global view of laser science and from this perspective identified a number of recent developments which could substantially improve the ability of OHER to perform its increasingly important mission.

Research Organization:
Consultec Scientific, Inc., Knoxville, TN (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
AC01-88ER30131
OSTI ID:
5726211
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/30131-T8; ON: DE90001154
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English