RUI: Laboratory Studies of Early Universe Chemistry

AST-0406706卡拉马伊早期宇宙结构形成的电流模型表明，在第一颗星星形成的时期，氢和氘代氢分子是温度在10000到100开尔文之间的原始气体云坍塌的主要冷却剂。 最近在高红移下探测到的再电离，以及由此而形成的星星，强调了早期这些分子的产生和毁灭所扮演的关键角色。 然而，显着的不确定性，甚至数量级，存在于公布的原子数据，特别是重要的电荷交换和重排反应。 这些不确定性转化为两种分子在这个关键时期的预测相对丰度的主要不准确性。 这项研究包括一系列的实验室调查，以测量宇宙学物体形成的相关温度范围内的相关反应的速率系数。 来自圆柱形射频离子阱的新原子数据将指导理论计算，并将被引入银河系前结构和第一颗星星形成的模型中，以研究天体物理学的影响，这项研究将大大提高阿巴拉契亚州立大学的本科生学习经验，该大学的学生中有很高比例来自代表性不足的群体。 新仪器和使用它的项目将大大有利于校园物理研究的机会，为不同群体的本科专业和硕士水平的学生。 这项研究还将加强一些大学和政府实验室之间最近建立的合作。

AST-0406706CalamaiCurrent models for the creation of structure in the early Universe indicate that during the epoch of first star formation, the hydrogen and deuterated hydrogen molecules are the dominant coolants for collapsing primordial gas clouds at temperatures between ten thousand and one hundred Kelvin. The recent detection of reionization, and thus star formation, at high redshift, underscores the pivotal role played by the creation and destruction of these molecules at early times. However, significant uncertainties, even to orders of magnitude, exist in the published atomic data for the particularly important charge exchange and rearrangement reactions. These uncertainties translate into major inaccuracies in the predicted relative abundances of both molecules at this key epoch. This study comprises a series of laboratory investigations to measure the rate coefficients for the relevant reactions in the relevant temperature range for cosmological object formation. New atomic data from a cylindrical radio-frequency ion trap will guide theoretical calculations, and will be introduced into models of pregalactic structure and first star formation to investigate the astrophysical implications.This study will significantly enhance the undergraduate learning experience at the Appalachian State University, whose student body includes a high proportion from under-represented groups. The new apparatus and projects using it will greatly benefit the on-campus physics research opportunities for a diverse group of undergraduate majors and masters level students. This research will also enhance recently established collaborations amongst a number of universities and government laboratories.