SPECTROSCOPY OF MATERIALS

Outline:

The last decade laser ablation has provided the basis for numerous analytical applications. In particular, in the form of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption (MALDI), it has revolutionized mass spectrometry, as it has enabled the implementation of this spectroscopic tool in the analysis of “large” polymers and biopolymers.

In parallel, laser ablation is employed for the production of novel new materials and in the framework of this application, various spectroscopic techniques are used for the mechanistic study and on-line monitoring of the processes.

The purpose of the course is the systematic, unified presentation of these different spectroscopic methods centering on the novel applications made possible by the use of ablation processes:

• Introduction to Desorption Processes from Solid Substrates
• Mechanisms and Chearacteristcs of laser Ablation
• Plume Diagnostics
• Spectroscopic Monitoring of Deposition Processes
• Introduction to Laser Ablation/Mass Spectrometry Technique
• Introduction to the MALDI of Biopolymers

As for the laboratory course, there will be a sequence of exercices on

• the purpose of the first experiments will be the familiarization with the use of quadrupole and time-of-flight spectrometers
• for demonstrating the peculiarity of laser ablation processes, desorption from model (van der Waals films) systems will be studied as function of laser fluence. The purpose of these experiments is to demonstrate the differences between the surface-mediated molecular processes that take place at low laser fluences and the ablation processes that occur at high fluences
• introduction to LAMMA and MALDI techniques. To this end, there will be a series of experiments on the identification and quantification of noble metals from minerals and a series of experiments on the identification and characterization of biopolymers via MALDI
• use of fluorescence techniques for plume diagnostics (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) and use of this technique for the characterization of plastics, ceramics etc.