Spectroscopic Investigations of Exotic Carbon and Silicon Molecules

在本项目中，哈佛-史密森天体物理天文台的Thaddeus教授将通过实验室傅里叶变换微波光谱，结合超声速分子束、长程毫米波光谱和激光光谱，对假设的碳和硅分子的旋转和电子光谱进行研究。该项目由化学学部实验物理化学项目资助。先前未观察到的物种，如硅簇和硅氢化物，以及由从头算理论假设的活性环化合物，如间苯、环戊二烯和十四氢苯，将被寻找和研究。此外，还将研究复杂的分子离子，如质子化环链、环链碳烯、弱极性分子和配合物。这些分子中的许多有望在工业过程中发挥反应中间体的作用，如燃烧和半导体生长过程，以及天文学。这项工作将有助于回答有关相同大小的碳和硅分子的结构和键合的基本问题。该研究将在研究生和本科生以及博士后研究助理的协助下进行。这些参与者将获得现代物理化学方面的高级培训，为在工业、学术或政府部门的高级学习或就业做准备。与美国和其他地方的实验和理论小组的合作将有助于研究的开展。

In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Thaddeus of the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will conduct a research program for the investigation of rotational and electronic spectra of postulated carbon and silicon molecules by means of laboratory Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, in combination with a supersonic molecular beam, long-path millimeter-wave spectroscopy, and laser spectroscopy. Previously unobserved species, such as silicon clusters and silicon hydrides, and reactive ring compounds, e.g., meta-benzyne, cyclopentadienylidene and tetradehydrobenzenes postulated by ab initio theory will be searched for and investigated. In addition, investigations will be carried out on complex molecular ions, such as protonated ring-chains, ring-chain carbenes, and weakly polar molecules and complexes. Many of these molecules are expected to play a role as reactive intermediates in industrial processes such as combustion and semiconductor growth processes, as well as in astronomy. The work will serve to answer basic questions about the structure and bonding of carbon and silicon molecules of the same size.The research will be conducted with the assistance of graduate and undergraduate students and post doctoral research associates. These participants will acquire advanced training in contemporary physical chemistry in preparation for advanced studies or employment in the industrial, academic, or government sectors of our economy. Collaborations with experimental and theoretical groups in the USA and elsewhere will contribute to the conduct of the research.