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Optical Measurements Group

The Optical Measurements Group develops advanced photonics-based measurement techniques and provides reference data relevant to light-matter interactions with broad applications to environmental monitoring, remote sensing, biomedical diagnostics, materials characterization, energy transformation, and communications technology.

About

The group conducts basic and applied research in optical measurement science to enable the accurate and precise characterization of light-matter interactions.  Measurands include amount of substance, isotopic composition, transition moments and frequencies, spectroscopic line shape parameters, scattering and absorption by particles, acoustics and ultrasound and thermophysical quantities such as pressure and temperature.  The group develops measurement standards, methods and tools to advance measurement capabilities in areas of national and industrial need, such as characterization of material composition through quantitative chemical sensing, laser spectroscopy, hybrid photonics/mechanical methods and mass spectrometry. The group disseminates spectroscopic and optical reference data for the quantitative analysis and sensing of a wide variety of systems, such as those related to energy transformation, manufacturing,  and environmental assessment, remote sensing, environmental radiative transfer and emissions monitoring; develops experimental methods, models, and standards pertaining to sensing applications, and analytic services; interacts with international standards organizations and other National Metrology Institutes to provide comparability among international standards to assure the competitiveness of U.S. industry; and provides advice and measurement traceability to other government agencies (federal and state), scientific organizations, and American industry.

Select Focus Areas

News and Updates

A Better Way to Measure Acceleration

You’re going at the speed limit down a two-lane road when a car barrels out of a driveway on your right. You slam on the brakes, and within a fraction of a

Latest Publications

Awards

David Long Honored with PECASE

For outstanding contributions to the fields of trace gas analysis, the carbon cycle, atmospheric studies and pollution monitoring through

Contacts

Group Leader

Group Office Manager