LABORATORY INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF SMALL ASTROPHYSICALLY RELEVANT MOLECULES

Giesen, Thomas

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122544 Copy

Description

Title

LABORATORY INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF SMALL ASTROPHYSICALLY RELEVANT MOLECULES

Author(s)

Giesen, Thomas

Contributor(s)

• Fuchs, Guido W.
• Peterss, Fabian
• Breier, Alexander A.
• Döring, Eileen

Issue Date

2023-06-20

Keyword(s)

Mini-symposium: Infrared Spectroscopy in the JWST Era

Abstract

A large number of astrophysically relevant molecules can be clearly identified by characteristic spectra in the mid- infrared range. Among them are important species such as CO₂ or C₃, which cannot be detected in the microwave range due to the lack of a permanent dipole moment. The broad spectral coverage of the MIRI spectrometer aboard JWST allows detection of a large number of molecules in the envelopes of aging stars. Together with observations in the microwave and optical spectral regions, the infrared region provides valuable information about the physical and chemical processes in the gas surrounding these stars. While infrared observations with Earth-based telescopes such as the IRTF on Mauna Kea / Hawaii are limited due to infrared absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere, JWST will provide an unrestricted view over the entire spectral range from 5 - 28 µm. The spectral resolution of JWST (R = 2000 - 3000) is sufficient to detect rotational vibrational transitions of small diatomic to triatomic molecules as well as characteristic vibrational bands of larger molecules. A large number of new molecules are expected to be discovered in the infrared spectra of late-type stars, provided their spectral signatures are known from precise laboratory studies. The laboratory astrophysics group in Kassel is conducting experiments in the 3-12 µm range with quantum cascade lasers and OPO lasers. In combination with electric discharge sources and laser ablation, a variety of molecules such as Si₂C [1], C₃, TiO [2], Al₂O and VO can be produced in cold supersonic jets, which are studied with high resolution infrared spectroscopy. The talk will give a brief insight into the ongoing work.

Publisher

International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy

Type of Resource

Text

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122544

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15278/isms.2023.7022

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