Meeting Information

Hyper-Raman Spectroscopy - Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff

June 20, 2012
American Center for Physics
College Park, MD

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Speaker: Charles K. Manka

Topic: Hyper-Raman Spectroscopy - - Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff

Presentation format_pdf

Time and Location: 1:00 PM, with Q&A to follow; in a 1st floor conference room at the American Center for Physics, 1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD-- off River Rd., between Kenilworth Ave. and Paint Branch Parkway.

Abstract:  Raman spectroscopy is now widely used to detect and identify chemicals, biological materials and drugs. Multi-wavelength Raman spectroscopy, sometimes referred to as hyper-Raman, is a unique enhancement of this technique and is particularly effective in the detection of a particular substance within a complex mixture, i.e. the real world. The development of this technique at the Naval Research Laboratory will be outlined and applications of this approach presented. The analysis techniques, derived from hyper-spectral imaging, will be discussed.

Short bio:

Charles Manka received an A.B. degree in physics and mathematics from William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) in 1960 and M.S.(1964) and Ph.D. (1965) degrees in Plasma Physics from The University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). His Ph.D. research was in diagnostics of Plasma Guns.

He was professor and Physics Department Chair at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Utilizing a gift of a high powered laser from Texas Instruments, he began research in Laser Produced Plasmas and associated diagnostics.

In 1983 he was “loaned” to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and a year later accepted a permanent position in the Laser – Matter Interaction Branch. Research efforts within this branch included simulation of high altitude nuclear “events” as well as fundamental laser plasma instabilities and laser produced shock waves in solid materials. In 1993 he was “downsized” out of federal employment at NRL, but 6 months later was hired back as a contractor heading a group supporting the multi-kilojoule laser target facility and associated experiments at NRL. In the last 8 years, he supported the Special Projects Group within the Plasma Physics Division. This group has utilized much lower powered, but frequency agile lasers, to detect explosives, bio- and chemical hazards. He continues his association with this group after official retirement in 2010.

He holds (with others) 4 patents and has co-authored more than 100 refereed publications and some technical magazine articles. He is an avid boater and was an avid backpacker. Now days, he carries less weight and camps closer to the truck!

Save this date: Friday, August 17, 2012

The MASPG is planning a tour of the Jefferson National Laboratory (J-Lab) in Hampton Roads in the afternoon. Details will be available later.

In addition to the tour of J-Lab there are many interesting things to do and places to go in the Hampton Roads area for any who care to stay over on Saturday and/or Sunday.