Synergistic Studies of Astronomical and Laboratory Spectroscopy

该奖项支持天文观测和实验室光谱学的协同努力。在天文观测中，H3+分子离子是最简单的多原子离子，它是由宇宙射线电离H2而大量产生的。大量的H3+观测数据的积累，以及漫射星际波段在光谱的可见区域，揭示了一些新的问题，这些问题都与物理，化学和天文学的基础有关。实验室和分析工作旨在解决这些问题，并为天文观测提供新的分子信息。本项目将分析旋转能级间H3+的热化，提供重要分子离子和自由基的光谱，并尝试分析和重现弥漫星际波段的实验室光谱。就更广泛的影响而言，这项工作为跨多个领域的学生教育提供了一个极好的工具。同时，打破学科界限，试图从统一的角度研究两个领域。该项目由数学和物理科学理事会的物理、化学和天文部门提供支持。

This award supports a synergistic effort of astronomical observations and laboratory spectroscopy. In the astronomical observations, the H3+ molecular ion, the simplest polyatomic species which is produced abundantly by cosmic ray ionization of H2, plays the central role. The large amount of observational data accumulated for H3+, as well as for the diffuse interstellar bands in the visible region of the spectrum, have revealed several new problems all related to the basics of physics, chemistry, and astronomy. The laboratory and analytical efforts are geared to solve these problems and provide new molecular information for astronomical observations. The project will analyze the thermalization of H3+ among the rotational levels, provide spectra of important molecular ions and radicals, and attempt to analyze and reproduce laboratory spectra for the diffuse interstellar bands. In terms of broader impact, this work provides an excellent vehicle for the education of students across multiple fields. At the same time, disciplinary boundaries are broken down in the attempt to study two fields from a unified point of view.Support for this project is provided by the Divisions of Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.