Photon mass research

The introduction of low-cost, mass-produced optical nano-sensors will be based on multidisciplinary research where all aspects - photonics, micro- en nanotechnology, (bio-)chemistry of interfaces and system aspects - are considered. Real breakthrough therefore will be only possible in close cooperations between strong groups active in the different fields. 

A serious problem with the Knudsen cell is that it may not give an accurate picture of a vapor s composition (M, M2, M3, etc.) emitting from an open surface of hot metal, which is not in thermal equilibrium. More research is certainly needed in this area. A second problem is that mass spectrometry requires that the metal particle be ionized before mass analysis. Just the process of ionization may cause fragmentation of M2, M3, etc. Further research using very gentle ionization methods (using energetically controlled photons instead of electrons) is needed in this area as well. 

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