The prime directive of our research is to experimentally study the dynamics of chemical reactions in extreme environments like combustion systems, rocket engines, chemical vapor deposition processes, and extraterrestrial environments (interstellar medium, solar system, comets, astrobiological habitats). In our crossed molecular beams machine, we use photolytic, pyrolytic, and laser ablation techniques to generate supersonic beams of neutral atoms (carbon, boron, silicon), polyatomic radicals (cyano, ethynyl, phenyl, propargyl, vinyl) and clusters (dicarbon, tricarbon). The chemical reactions are initiated under single collision conditions by crossing such beams with a second supersonic beam containing radicals or closed shell species. By recording angular resolved time of flight (TOF) spectra, we can obtain information on the reaction products, intermediates involved, on branching ratios for competing reaction channels, on the energetics of the reaction(s), and the underlying reaction mechanisms. This research helps to understand elementary reaction mechanisms with applications to combustion chemistry, rocket propulsion systems, extraterrestrial chemistry, and chemistry in our Solar System such as in Titan's atmosphere. These projects are supported by (in alphabetic order) the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Department of Energy (DOE-BES), and by the National Science Foundation (NSF-CHE; NSF-CRC). Additional information on the funding agencies can be obtained by clicking on the icons.
Our surface scattering machine investigates the interaction of energetic particles (electrons, atomic and molecular ions, photons, neutral atoms) with low temperature ice surfaces. These ‘ices’ are either neat like water, methane, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen or complex mixtures. By inducing non-equilibrium chemistry, we can follow the reaction in real time via infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The information obtained are data on reaction products, their formation rates, and information on the kinetics and dynamics. These findings can be utilized to better understand the chemistry of interstellar grains and in our Solar System (icy planets and their moons; Kuiper Belt Objects). Our research is supported by (in alphabetic order) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and by the National Science Foundation (NSF-AST). Additional information on the funding agencies can be obtained by clicking on the icons.
