Hannover 2010 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help
MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik
MO 12: Photochemistry I
MO 12.5: Talk
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 11:45–12:00, F 142
Absolute photodetachment cross-section for anions of astrophysical relevance — •Thorsten Best1, Rico Otto1, Sebastian Trippel1, Martin Stei1, Petr Hlavenka1, Erik Vigren2, Wolf Geppert2, and Roland Wester1 — 1Physikalisches Institut, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 3, 79104 Freiburg — 2Molecular Physics Division, Stockholm University, S106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
The discovery of several molecular anions in interstellar clouds has been a surprise for interstellar astrophysics. Among the molecules of interest, hydrated carbon chains (CnH−) play an important role [1,2]. By trapping and buffer gas cooling of these molecular anions in a 22pole radio-frequency trap, we are able to simulate interstellar conditions in our laboratory [3]. In particular, using a recently developed tomographic method [4], we have determined absolute values for the photodetachment cross-section of these molecules. We thereby hope to help answering the question to which extent photodetachment determines the lifetime of molecular anions in photon-dominated regions and more general cosmic environments.
[1] M.C. McCarthy et al., Ap. J., 652, 141 [2] J. Cernicharo et al., Astronomy and Astrophysics, 467, 37 (2007) [3] R. Wester, J. Phys. B 42, 154001 (2009) [4] P. Hlavenka et al., J. Chem. Phys. 130, 061105 (2009)