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Title: Novel analytical techniques based on an enhanced electron attachment process. 1998 annual progress report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/13451· OSTI ID:13451
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (US)
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (US)

'Sensitive and selective detection of dense non-aqueous liquids (DNAPL), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and other organics, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), is an area of importance. Current analytical methods for the detection of these compounds rely on their propensity to form negative ions. However, for compounds with smaller electron capture cross sections, including PCBs with few chlorine atoms and non-chlorinated VOCs, these methods are considerably less sensitive. The objective of the research program is to develop novel analytical techniques that can be expected to be applicable for a wide variety of molecules with high sensitivity. These are based on the recently discovered enhanced negative ion formation process involving electron attachment to highly-excited states of molecules. The authors are using two approaches to produce the precursor highly-excited states; one is laser excitation, and the other is discharge based.'

Research Organization:
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (US); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Science and Risk Policy
OSTI ID:
13451
Report Number(s):
EMSP-55328-98; ON: DE00013451
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English