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Title
Advanced Optical Diagnostics of Laser Plasmas for Nuclear Applications
Abstract
Lanthanides (e.g. Ce, Er) and actinides (e.g. U, Pu) are of interest for many important applications. Lanthanides play a key role in modern telecommunications, semiconductor manufacturing, and laser source development. Additionally, both play key roles within nuclear security and energy generation. Optical spectroscopy of Laser Produced Plasmas (LPPs) provides a powerful tool for non-contact elemental analysis of solid samples, and studying fundamental properties of atoms and molecules in plasma conditions. Measurements of actinides in LPPs are of particular interest as a method to assist with elemental or isotopic analysis of solid samples such as those used as nuclear fuels, found as debris, or present as a by-product of energy or weapons production. However, the primary challenge for optical diagnostic systems measuring these heavy elements is the high density of the spectral features.
Thus, advanced spectroscopic methods are required to analyze these materials. Some of these advanced spectroscopic methods are Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Supercontinuum Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (SCLAS), Dual-Comb Spectroscopy (DCS), and Tunable Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (LAS). These techniques probe the LPP by either directly observing the emission of the generated light (LIBS), or by sending a probe laser through the plasma and observing the absorption (SCLAS, DCS, LAS). In this dissertation, I present each of these optical techniques and their applications to study dense spectral features such as uranium, cerium oxide.
Please email Jini at jini@optics.arizona.edu or Ryland at rylandwala@arizona.edu for a Zoom link.