BIO

Hi, my name is Adele Menezes. I'm really interested in Environment Conservation, which is part of the reason that I chose to work with Dr. Van Tol this year, as EPR can be used to increase efficiency in solar energy cells. That being said, I'd also like to work with AI sometime in the future, which is why I'm working towards a double major with Computer Science.

Optical Detection of Magnetic Resonance

Abstract

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy is a powerful tool used to identify the changes in energy levels of unpaired electrons. Uniquely, it can identify the reactivity of substances through the changes in microwave emission when said substances are exposed to large amounts of energy via a laser. Such technology may be the stepping stone to developments in quantum computing, increased efficiency of solar energy cells, and better quality beer. However, one of many difficulties in working with EPR is the T1 relaxation time of electrons, where the speed at which microwave levels get affected (the same speed that the unpaired electrons fall back into the ground state after excitation) is often too quick for the machine to detect.

Optical detection could provide a supplementary way of detecting phosphorescence and provide a more accurate way of determining the reactivity of a sample. The goal of this study was to develop a sample holder that could allow for phosphorescent light released from a sample during EPR to leave the sample holder through the use of a quartz rod, which is highly efficient at transmitting light. Using Fusion360, many preliminary models were made, however, none have been engineered/tested yet. These models were created specifically for the Heterodyne Quasi-Optical Spectrometer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, FL.

Keywords: EPR, Optical Detection, Optics, Electron Spin States