NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : A novel technique for the detection of the exobiologically important Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Martner and Associates proposes to develop a technology to make ultra-sensitive absorption measurements over the visible and near infrared spectral region. In this proposal we will i) develop a broad band cavity ringdown visible absorption spectrometer and ii) apply this technology to the detection and characterization of cooled low molecular weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. The broad band source combined with the technology of the visible cavity ring down analysis will create a powerful spectroscopic technique that has potential for miniaturization and stand alone operation. Furthermore the detection and characterization of PAH's has two important applications to NASA. These are 1) the identification of the carriers responsible for the diffuse instertellar bands (DIBs) and ii)development of instrumentation for exobiology.

In this proposal Martner and Associates will collaborate with a research group at the University of California, Berkeley to develop the characterization of PAH. The development of the broad band source will be done in coordination with Los Gatos Research a small business that is actively developing airborne instrumentation for NASA.

This proposal will develop a new technique that will monitor atmospheric species, as well as species of interest to exobiology, by making sensitive absorption measurements in the visible spectral region.

Cecilia C. Martner
Martner and Associates
1685 Plymouth st
suite 100
Mountain View CA 94043

Martner and Associates
1685 Plymouth st.
suite 100
Mt. View CA 94043