U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Physical Measurement Laboratory /Applied Physics Division

Laser Applications Group (formerly Molecular and BioPhotonics)

The Laser Applications Group advances laser-based measurement science for quantum research, spectroscopy, imaging, and sensing. We develop optical techniques, standards, instrumentation, and AI-enabled image analysis methods that enable accurate, reliable, and practical measurements in support of national needs, critical emerging technologies, advanced imaging, quantum sensing, and applied measurement challenges.

Our research is organized around five connected areas: optical imaging, advanced spectroscopies, quantum sensing, AI-enabled image analysis, and technology applications. Together, these efforts advance laser-based measurement science by developing new optical methods, establishing reliable measurement practices, and applying photonic technologies to important scientific and industrial challenges.

Publications

Software

JB95 Spectral fitting program

A graphical user interface program, JB95, based on a Windows 95 © API platform has been written in the C programming language to aid in the analysis of complex

Awards

Photo of David Plusquellic

2025 Optica Fellow - David Plusquellic

For pioneering advances in electro-optic frequency comb technology from ultraviolet to terahertz frequencies for spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, and remote sensing applications

TAKING MEASURE BLOG

Patents

Photoacoustic Photon Meter And Process For Measuring Photon Fluence

NIST Inventors
Kimberly A. Briggman , Chris Yung , Jeeseong C. Hwang and John H. Lehman
A photoacoustic photon meter includes: a photoacoustic generative array including carbon nanotubes disposed in a photoacoustic generating pattern, such that the carbon nanotubes: receive photons comprising optical energy, and produce thermal energy from the optical energy; and a superstratum

Optical Phantom for Producing a Time-Resolved Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum

NIST Inventors
Jeeseong C. Hwang
An optical phantom produces a time-resolved diffuse reflectance spectrum and includes: a light source; a spatial light modulator; and an optical delay line including optical fibers of different length that produce different time-of-flight distributions, such that different time-of-flight
Diagram of the dual optical frequency comb spectrometer consisting of a single laser that is split into local oscillator, reference and probe legs to down-convert, interleave and normalize gas sample absorption signals.

Variable-Frequency Optical Combs, Heterodyne Sensor, and Process for Performing Spectroscopy

NIST Inventors
David F. Plusquellic , Kevin O Douglass , Joseph T. Hodges and Adam J. Fleisher
This invention uses lasers and modulators to create special light waves called “optical frequency combs” that can scan multiple chemical features instantly. These combs detect chemicals by analyzing how light changes as it interacts with different substances. It’s fast, accurate, and doesn’t need
Patents (older than 2018)
  1. “Multilayered Phantom Tissue Test Structure and Fabrication Process", Jeeseong Hwang, Christopher Stafford, Robert Chang, U.S. Patent No. US-9486179-B2, Nov. 8, 2016
  2. “Chirped-Pulse Terahertz Spectroscopy", Eyal Gerecht, David F. Plusquellic and Kevin O. Douglass, U.S. Patent No. US_8748822_B1, June 20, 2014.
  3. “A Fast-Switching Arbitrary Frequency Light Source for Broadband Spectroscopic Applications”, David Plusquellic, Kevin O. Douglass, Stephen Maxwell, Joseph T. Hodges, David A. Long, and Gar-wing Truong, U.S. Patent No. US_8642982_B2, Feb. 4, 2014.
  4. “An Optical Two-Dimensional Servo-Loop for Laser Beam Stabilization and/or Position Encoding", W.A. Majewski and D.F. Plusquellic, U.S. Patent No. 4,994,661, Feb 19, 1991.

Research Opportunities

Staff Directory

Contacts

Group Leader

Postal address: Molecular and Biophotonics Group, NIST - 687.05, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305

Was this page helpful?