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Andrew MacConnell, Tara Marker
Furman University

Subject Listing - Physics/Astronomy
Advisor: Dr. Bill Baker

Thursday, Poster Session 2, Presentation Table 5, Health & Fitness Center

OPTICAL Z-SCAN AS A MEANS OF MEASURING GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION

A key characteristic of any nonlinear optical material is its third-order harmonic optical response. Prior studies lead us to believe that a thin film of glucose is a third-order harmonic generator, and that the peak-to-peak value can be correlated with the glucose concentration level. Using a standardized sample (IR-140 in methylsulfolxide), we explored variations on the basic Z-scan setup in order to achieve a configuration with the greatest sensitivity. This resulted in adding a "top hat" aperture to the Z-scan setup. Subsequently we discovered that the predominating third harmonic property observed in blood was not due to glucose concentrations, but to suspended particles.

Advisor: Dr. Bill Baker, Professor and Department Chair, Physics, Furman University, Greenville, SC