Heidelberg 2015 – scientific programme

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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik

MO 10: Experimental Techniques

MO 10.7: Talk

Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 16:00–16:15, PH/SR106

Gasphase Spectroscopy of small Carbon-Bearing Molecules — •Daniel Witsch, Steven Ingunza, Volker Lutter, Guido Fuchs, and Thomas Giesen — University of Kassel - Institute of Physics, Germany, Heinrich-Plett-Str 40, 34132 Kassel

Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars show a huge variety of carbon-bearing molecules. Thus, laboratory based investigations of these clusters are important to enable astrophysical detections of further species. We present an experimental setup to study gasphase IR-spectra of these molecules at low temperatures.

For this purpose a laser ablation source is used to produce a carbon containing plasma. Helium carries the ablated material through a reaction channel, where the desired molecules are formed. Subsequent adiabatic expansion cools the molecules to a few 10 K of rotational temperature.

This technique combined with quantum cascade lasers allows for high resolution IR-spectroscopy of carbon-bearing molecules. Especially the finger-print region from 2 to 12 microns is of great interest since many rovibrational transitions can be detected here.