US Department of Energy funds NWR to develop next-generation UV femtosecond laser-ablation mass-spectrometry system
New Wave Research, a leading manufacturer of advanced lasers and laser-based systems for the microelectronics and analytical instrumentation industries, today announced it has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract from the Department of Energy to design, develop and build a next-generation UV femtosecond laser-ablation mass-spectrometry system for the DOE's nuclear and radiological national security programme.
The award follows the successful completion of this Phase I SBIR contract won by New Wave Research last year.
The programme's objective is to create a low-cost, compact, turnkey solution; current systems are considered prohibitively expensive and bulky, and require highly skilled operators.
The system will be optimised for non-destructive, in-situ solid sampling of a broad range of materials.
"New Wave Research is honoured to have been chosen by the Department of Energy to apply our technology and expertise to the development of this next-generation laser-ablation system," said Pei Hsien Fang, CEO of New Wave Research.
"This is a highly competitive process; it is a testament to New Wave Research's world-class expertise in laser-systems development and design.
"The knowledge gained from this project will have broad-ranging, long-lasting impact on many future commercial and scientific uses," Fang explained.
"Affordable, easy-to-use UV femtosecond laser-ablation technology will enable and streamline a wide range of applications, in disciplines including analytical biochemistry, geochronology, ceramics, electronic materials and environmental, industrial and nuclear chemistry."
