Novel Analytical Techniques Based on an Enhanced Electron Attachment Process (May 1998)

Researchers in the Life Sciences Division Biochemistry and Biophysics Section have reported several achievements in novel analytical techniques based on an enhanced electron attachment process. The basic physics involved in the dissociative electron attachment to laser-excited molecules was investigated [as reported in J. Chem. Phys. 108, 6633 (1998), "High-Rydberg fragment formation via core dissociation of superexcited Rydberg molecules," by L. A. Pinnaduwage and Y. Zhu]. Also, it has been illustrated that the analytically useful negative ions can be produced by enhanced electron attachment to laser-excited benzene and toluene; conventional techniques do not produce analytically useful negative ions (documenting paper submitted to Anal. Chem., May 1998). (Contact: L. A. Pinnaduwage, 574-6540 or llp@ornl.gov)