Tom Blake, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist, Fundamental and Computational Sciences Directorate, Chemical and Material Sciences Division, Chemical Structure and DynamicsDual Assignment
WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory / Chemistry & Physics of Complex Systems
Current Activities and Projects
Currently we are developing a high-throughput, cw slit-jet molecular beam source that is mated to a high revolution (0.0015 cm-1, in the mid-infrared) Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. This system will be used to perform sub-Doppler spectroscopy from the far to the near-infrared on molecules, molecular radicals, and molecular clusters. The cluster studies will include, for example, water oligimers and hydrogen fluoride trimer.
We also have a pulsed, slit-jet, diode laser system that is also used for sub-Doppler mid-infrared spectroscopy of molecules and molecular clusters. Current and recent studies using this spectrometer include bands for the argon-ammonia cluster, hydrogen fluoride trimer, hexafluoroethane, and chlorine nitrate.
Finally, we are interested in developing diode and carbon dioxide laser sources for performing point and remote sensing of trace atmospheric constituents. This work involves external modulation and injection locking schemes of carbon dioxide lasers, testing and development of new diode laser sources, developing frequency modulation and demodulation techniques for diode lasers, and laboratory and field testing of these laser systems.
Research Interests
Our research interests include high resolution infrared and microwave spectroscopy of molecules and molecular clusters. We are also interested in molecular structure, group theoretical analysis of molecular spectra and internal dynamics, and in the inversion of molecular spectra to obtain potential energy surface information. Other research interests include liquid phase impedance spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, the development of laser systems for performing trace detection of atmospheric constituents, and infrared reflectance spectroscopy for detecting trace chemicals coating soils.
Past Experience
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. (1991-1994).
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemistry Department University of Washington, Seattle, WA, (1988-1991).
Education
- Ph.D., Chemical Physics, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (1989)
- B.Sc., magna cum laude, Chemistry, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT (1981)
