Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Wang, Chuji

Committee Member

Pan, Yong-Le

Committee Member

Arnoldus, Henk F.

Committee Member

Pierce, Donna

Committee Member

Ariunbold, Gombojav

Date of Degree

12-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Physics

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

This dissertation explores the innovative integration of optical trapping (OT) with advanced laser spectroscopy techniques to investigate the physicochemical properties of single particles from a variety of atmospheric aerosols, such as bioaerosols, terrestrial dust, and extraterrestrial dust. Each technique offers unique insights, significantly enhancing our understanding of these critical atmospheric components. The first work focuses on employing OT in conjunction with cavity ringdown spectroscopy (OT-CRDS) to measure the single-particle extinction of interplanetary dust particles at ultraviolet wavelengths (~308 nm). This method allows for the stable trapping of individual dust particles in air, facilitating precise characterization with minimal external interference. Our findings illustrate that the integration of OT with cavity ringdown spectroscopy serves as a novel tool for obtaining multimodal information on IDPs, thus providing new avenues for understanding planetary phenomena and their implications for atmospheric science. In the second work of the dissertation, we investigate the capabilities of optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) for the characterization, identification, and detection of aerosol particles in their native atmospheric states. We constructed a comprehensive library of OT-RS fingerprints from various aerosol categories, including bioaerosols, terrestrial dust, and extraterrestrial dust. This library addresses significant challenges in particle identification and serves as a crucial reference for future atmospheric studies. The advantages of single-particle characterization through OT-RS are highlighted, demonstrating its potential for advancing our understanding of aerosol behavior in the atmosphere. The third study integrates optical trapping with circular intensity differential scattering (OT-CIDS) to analyze single biological particles, highlighting its potential for detecting chiral structures like DNA and RNA. Using a custom-designed elliptical reflector, we achieve optical levitation to measure angle-dependent scattering without interference from surrounding equipment. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of capturing two-dimensional angular optical scattering (TAOS) patterns, revealing distinct angular responses from various levitated particles. In summary, this dissertation presents a groundbreaking interaction between optical trapping and advanced spectroscopic techniques, offering innovative methodologies for studying the intricate properties of single particles in atmospheric science and beyond. The insights gained from this research contribute significantly to our understanding of atmospheric phenomena and open new avenues for particle characterization and environmental monitoring across diverse contexts.

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