University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Chirped-pulse Club: Microwave Spectroscopy Research In High School

Brown, Gordon G.

Content Files
4859.pdf
FH10_4859.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/111442

Description

Title
The Chirped-pulse Club: Microwave Spectroscopy Research In High School
Author(s)
Brown, Gordon G.
Contributor(s)
  • Youngblood, Garrett
  • Weeks, Elic
  • Nandi, Shamitha
  • Liu, Ziwei
  • Kanthamneni, Anish
  • Geraghty, Emily
  • Cervantes, Josue
Issue Date
2021-06-25
Keyword(s)
Mini-symposium: Spectroscopy with Undergraduates
Date of Ingest
  • 2021-09-24T21:09:46Z
  • 2022-01-21T16:08:55Z
Abstract
A new course offering a research experience in microwave spectroscopy to high school students has been developed at the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics. Seven students working in small groups completed research projects in microwave spectroscopy during the fall semester of 2020. The students measured the spectra of previously unstudied chemicals, performed relevant \textit{ab initio} calculations, analyzed the spectra to find the rotational and distortion constants, and prepared presentations for the school's Annual Research Colloquium. Chemicals studied include 2-fluorobenzotrifluoride, trans-2-pentenal, and 2,6-difluorophenol. The spectra were measured on a 8 - 18 GHz chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometer. The spectrometer employs an Analog Devices AD-9914 direct digital synthesizer to generate a chirped pulse with a bandwidth of 1 GHz. The chirped pulse is mixed with a tunable carrier frequency and the spectrum is measured in 2 GHz (the output of the mixer includes the lower and upper sidebands) sections. Chemical samples are introduced through a small hole in a spherical mirror in order for the pulsed molecular beam to be coaxial with the microwave pulse. Experimental rotational parameters of the three chemical species will be presented along with a description of the spectrometer.
Publisher
International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy
Type of Resource
Text
Genre of Resource
Conference Paper / Presentation
Language
eng
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/111442
DOI
10.15278/isms.2021.FH10

Owning Collections

Abstracts & Presentations - 2021 International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy PRIMARY