SCATTERED — This time sequence shows light scattering from a metal nanowire. The four panels, from bottom to top, show a pulse of light coming from the lower left toward the upper right, traveling toward a refracting interface marked by a black line. The white dot is a 100 nm diameter silver nanowire. The interval between panels is 2.6 femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second).

Optical properties of nanoparticles explored

By Margret Chang

Researchers at Argonne are making strides towards understanding and manipulating light at the nanoscale by using the unusual optical properties of metal nanoparticles, opening the door to microscopic-sized devices such as optical circuits and switches.

Metal nanoparticles, such as extremely tiny spheres of silver or gold, can concentrate large amounts of light energy at their surfaces. The light energy confined near the surface is known as the near-field, whereas ordinary light is known as far-field. Many scientists believe that by understanding how to manipulate near-field light, new optical devices could be built at dimensions far smaller than is currently possible. In an effort to characterize near-field behavior, a joint experimental and theoretical study published in the Dec. 25 edition of the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, used powerful high-resolution imaging and modeling techniques to detail how light is localized and scattered by metal nanoparticles.

Current technologies, such as high-speed computers and Internet routers, rely heavily on electrons flowing through wires in order to function. However, with the ever-increasing demand for higher data rates and smaller sizes, electrical circuits run into basic barriers, like excess heat. According to experimental team leader Gary Wiederrecht (CHM), this challenge can be overcome by replacing electrons with photons (units of light), since the wave-like character of photons would reduce obstacles such as heat and friction within a given system. "In a nutshell, photons move faster than electrons," said Wiederrecht. "They are a highly efficient power source just waiting to be harnessed."

"Using experimental and theoretical approaches, we were able to observe the interaction of light with the surfaces of the metal nanoparticles. We hope that this study will lead to the creation of optical technologies that can manipulate light with precision at nanoscale dimensions," explained lead theoretician Stephen Gray (CHM).

To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the near-field, the Argonne researchers used an advanced technique imaging technique known as near-field scanning optical microscopy. The nanoparticles, with diameters as small as 25 nanometers, were placed on a prism and illuminated with laser light, forming a near-field that was detectable with near-field scanning optical microscopy by a nanoscale probe positioned close to the sample's surface. Optical scattering experiments were performed on isolated metal nanoparticles and arrays of metal nanoparticles. Electron beam lithography was used to uniformly place nanoparticles within 100 nanometers of each other. Using a special experimental setup, the team was able to explicitly map the near-field light intensity onto the three-dimensional topography of the metal nanoparticle arrays.

Experimental results yielded a number of valuable findings regarding the character of the near-field. The researchers found that an isolated nanoparticle would scatter light at a 20-degree angle from the prism surface. Furthermore, the researchers found that arrays of nanoparticles scatter light at much smaller angles, an encouraging result for using near-field photons in two-dimensional devices such as optical chips. All findings were validated using computational and theoretical methods, and together, they provide specific information as to how near-fields can guide light.

The research work by scientists in Argonne's Chemistry Division and Center for Nanoscale Materials was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the University of Chicago-Argonne National Laboratory Consortium for Nanoscience Research.

Knutson to lead new
Project Management Office

Argonne will coordinate all its present and planned large construction projects under a new Office of Project Management to provide the best use of resources and assure that project objectives are met.

Dale Knutson has been named director of the new office, which will help bring project ideas from Argonne's long-term Institutional Plan to completion, providing effective integration of technical staff and the requirements of major projects. The office will also support the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in working toward completion of any of the long-term projects in the agency's recently-announced twenty-year plan, which sets out a list of planned major projects to be funded by DOE's Office of Science. Some of those projects may be located at Argonne.

Knutson has been project director of Argonne's Rare Isotope Accelerator initiative, and his new responsibilities will continue to include that effort. The Rare Isotope Accelerator, one of the U.S. Department of Energy's top priority new facilities, is expected to begin construction in 2005. The location has not yet been decided, but Argonne is one of the sites bidding for the billion-dollar project.

Other facilities now underway at or under consideration for Argonne include the $200 million Protein Production and Crystallization Facility; the $72 million Center for Nanoscale Materials; the $40 million Linac Coherent Light Source; the $35 million Theory and Computing Sciences building; and the $26 million Electron Microscopy Center, among others.

Before coming to Argonne, Knutson was technical group and laboratory manager for radiochemical science and engineering at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington.

Argonne director Hermann Grunder praised Knutson's "impressive track record of building and leading teams able to deliver the desired technical capability within budget and on schedule."

Pianist to accompany silent films

Arts at Argonne will present "Two for the Show," a pair of silent films with live musical accompaniment, Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Argonne-East's Advanced Photon Source Conference Center Auditorium, Building 402.

The feature films star silent-era greats Lon Chaney and Harry Langdon. Live piano accompaniment will be provided by David Drazin, a professional silent-film accompanist who plays regularly for Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center, as well as at film screenings around the country.

Admission is $5. Order tickets by phone at ext. 2-3751; Visa and MasterCard accepted. Remaining tickets will be sold in the lobby of the Building 213 Cafeteria the week of Feb. 2, from noon to 1 p.m. The Auditorium Box Office will be open on the day of the performance at 7 p.m.

The concert is open to the public. Visitors who are U.S. citizens need photo identification to enter the site, and should call to register before the concert. Non-U.S. citizens must register before the event. Call (630) 252-3751 during business hours.

More information is online.

Chicago students introduced to science careers

By Donna Jones Pelkie

It's not exactly face-to-face, but high school students are meeting scientists and engineers from Argonne to learn more about scientific careers.

A new video conference series, conducted by Argonne, the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Workforce Board, is aimed at sophomore, junior and senior students. The Science Careers series consists of monthly interactive sessions with Argonne researchers, as the scientists and engineers speak with the students from their laboratories about their careers and the steps they took in preparing for them.

"Most high school students have little or no opportunity to meet and interact with working professionals in scientific and technical fields," said Fred Hartline of Argonne's Division of Educational Programs.

"By talking to students early on about the possibility of a science career, we are helping to ensure that we have quality professionals to staff corporate and government laboratories in the future," Hartline said.

Background materials and pre- and post conference lessons are available on the project's Web site, so teachers can introduce their students to career issues ahead of time and follow up sessions with meaningful activities. During the program, students can question presenters via live videoconference link.

The first session of the program took place in November and featured Kathy Harkay (ASD) and Lennox Iton (MSD) speaking to the honors physics class at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. Argonne's Gino Williams (CIS) served as moderator.

"This is a pilot project," said Hartline, "so we expect to experiment a bit on content, style and audience. We hope to make it more interesting than your typical people-around-a-table videoconference. We want to keep it fast paced with lots of interaction with the students."

At the most recent session on Jan. 21, chemist David Tiede (CHM) and colleagues spoke to the honors chemistry class at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. The series will continue monthly throughout the school year, reaching different students each month. Hartline expects at least two more Chicago high schools to participate in the program this spring.

The Science Careers series is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Volunteers are needed to participate in future sessions. Anyone interested should contact Fred Hartline at ext. 2-5704 or fhartline@dep.anl.gov.

Pool league seeks players

The Argonne Pool League is seeking regular and substitute players for its 2004 spring session, which will meet every Tuesday through May 4. Players will be placed on existing teams.

Play begins at 6 p.m. at Q Billiards, 8109 S. Cass Ave., about one mile north of Argonne-East's North Gate.

This is a handicap, team format, 8-Ball pool league. Male and female players of all skill levels, including beginners, are encouraged to join. Family and friends of Argonne employees are also welcome.

For more information, call Art Kahaian (CMT) at ext. 2-1944, Cheryl Nelson (EQO) at ext. 2-3310 or Chuck Batson (630-739-7106).

Instructor wanted for Tai Chi Club

Argonne's Tai Chi Club is looking for an instructor with experience in Tai Chi and Qi Gong with emphasis on internal energy work.

The club also invites new members. Meetings are held Mondays at 11:30 a.m. in Argonne-East's Building 212, Room A157.

Call Mark Kamiya (EQO) at ext. 2-2704 to discuss the instructor position or for more information.

Tax talk offered by credit union

A tax seminar sponsored by the Argonne Credit Union will be held at the Lisle Hyatt Hotel's Willow Room, 1400 Corporetum Drive, Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.

Tax expert Robert Dylla, Sr. will discuss new tax laws, review tax saving opportunities and answer tax-related questions.

The seminar is free but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, contact the credit union at ext. 2-5800 or (630) 810-9600.

Research to be discussed at `Theory Afternoon'

The Second Argonne Theory Afternoon Seminar will be held at Argonne-East Monday, Feb. 16, in Building 362, Conference Room F108.

The seminar will highlight research activities across the laboratory and the people behind the work.

There will be four talks, each about 30 minutes in length, with 15 minutes for questions and discussion. Presenters will include:

1:30 - 2:15 p.m. -- Nobel Prize winner Alex Abrikosov (MSD), "Unusual Metal-Insulator Transition and its Consequences"

2:15 - 3 p.m. -- Jorge Moré (MCS), "Evolution in Optimization"

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. -- Csaba Balazs (HEP), "Dark Matter"

4:15 - 5 p.m. -- James W. Truran (PHY and University of Chicago) "Nuclear Astrophysics at Argonne"

A social hour will be held from 5-6 p.m.

For more information, contact Ed Berger (HEP) at ext. 2-6211.

MetLife rep to visit ANL-East

A representative from MetLife Auto and Home will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, Jan. 27, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.

To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees can also receive a quote by phone; call 1-800-438-6388.

Service Awards

Service Awards for January include:

45 Years

Francis W. Strehl (HR).

35 Years

Stephen D. Gabelnick (CMT), John J. Picciolo (ET), Charles G. Stenberg (NE).

30 Years

Samuel D. Bader (MSD), Bevin A. Brush (NT), James A. Morman (NE), Francis C. Simpson (FAC), David M. Taylor (FAC).

25 Years

Vivian S. Arrington (PFS), Lawrence J. Nodulman (HEP), Margaret A. O'Connor (PBC).

20 Years

Evan A. Belnap (FAC), Martin R. Kroll (CIS), William W. McCune (MCS), James E. Nelson (PHY), DeeEarl Vaden (ENT), Dennis L. Youngerman (FAC).

15 Years

Jean E. Benedict (FAC), Raymond A. Dyson (PFS), Jeffrey S. Gaffney (ER), Brian D. Kennedy (PFS), Barbara Kilis (PFS), Nancy A. Marley (ER), John A. Michelbacher (NT), Dean J. Miller (MSD), Rhett M. Rovig (FAC), Lester W. Scott (ENT), Jean M. Sloboda (PBC), Richard L. Talaga (HEP), Greg E. Wiemerslage (XFD).

10 Years

LaMonte Brandner (ER), Larry M. Butler (IPD), James K. Coleman (PFS), Paul E. Domagala (ET), Dawn R. Fringley (ENT), Christopher M. Girard (PFS), Christopher J. Lister (PHY), Richard J. Love (DIS), Paul E. Pugmire (NPS), Lisa Reyes (EQO), Jerome P. Rivette, Jr., (PFS), Tina Joy Stanton-Piersanti (CIS), Thomas G. Sydelko (EA), Ronald L. Tollner (CMT).

5 Years

Paul Agos (PFS), Scott A. Bresnahan (PFS), Alex L. Deriy (PHY), Wendy L. Gamett (FAC), Robert C. Jenkins (PHY), Andrew N. Johnson (ASD), Tamara L. Martin (NE), Daniel R. Melvin (PFS), Luana L. Merle (OCF), David Salbego (CIS), Rusian Sanishvili (BIO), David A. Shimcoski (ES), Thomas Toellner (XFD), Xiaoping Wang (CMT).

In Memoriam

Howard Eisenbrandt, a retired associate designer with 25 years of service in the Engineering Division, died Dec. 11. His wife, Hattie, survives him.

Leonard W. Fromm, Jr., a retired senior chemical engineer with 37 years of service in the Chemical Engineering Division, died Aug. 4. His children, Jeffrey, Gregory, Christopher, Melody Kelsey, and Monica Curtis, survive him.

Robert Gilmartin, a retired senior subcontract administrator with 32 years of service in the Procurement Division, died Dec. 17. His wife, Marjorie, survives him.

Levon Haskin, a retired stationary engineer with 38 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division, died Dec. 9. His wife, Celestine, survives him.

Walter C. Lipinski, a retired senior engineer with 45 years of service in the Reactor Engineering Division, died Aug. 21. His wife, Jo Ann, survives him.

Charles J. Luebs, a retired chief technician with 20 years of service in the Engineering Physics Division, died Dec. 28. His wife, Grace, survives him.

Richard L. Randolph, a retired fire lieutenant with 34 years of service in the Fire Department, died Nov. 28. His wife, Elizabeth, survives him.

John Rundo, a retired senior biophysicist with 22 years of service in the Biology Division, died Nov. 21. His wife, Katrine, survives him.

Donald J. Stuckey, a retired manufacturing engineer with 31 years of service in the Central Shops Division, died Nov. 11. His wife, Frances, survives him.

Dale E. Suddeth, a retired electrical engineer with 34 years of service in the Engineering Technology Division, died Dec. 23. His wife, Margo, survives him.

Arthur Tevebaugh, a retired associate division director with 17 years of service in the Chemistry Division, died Dec. 15. His wife, Ruth, survives him.