Interdisciplinary Studies of H3+: Reactions with e and H2 in the Laboratory and the Interstellar Medium

这个项目代表了一个以最简单的多原子分子H3为中心的化学、物理和天文学之间的跨学科研究计划。这项研究的实验室部分涉及H3与电子的解离重组和质子交换反应的研究，这是多原子分子解离重组和化学反应的最简单案例。观测部分需要对漫射星际云样本中的H3进行光谱测量和分析，这将允许确定宇宙射线的电离率。实验结果还将用于模拟高密度星际介质中H2和H3的邻位和对位形式的相互转化。这项研究和相关活动预计将在加强跨学科研究、培养本科生和研究生以及整合教学和研究方面产生广泛影响。

This project represents an interdisciplinary program of research at the interface between chemistry, physics, and astronomy centered on the simplest polyatomic molecule, H3+. The laboratory component of the research involves the study of the dissociative recombination of H3+ with electrons and the proton-swapping "reaction, which represent the simplest cases of dissociative recombination and chemical reaction for polyatomic molecules. The observational component entails the spectroscopic measurement and analysis of H3+ in a sample of diffuse interstellar clouds, which will permit the determination of the cosmic-ray ionization rate. The experimental results will also be used to model the interconversion of the ortho and para forms of H2 and H3+ in the dense interstellar medium. This research, and associated activities, can be expected to have a broad impact in terms of enhancing interdisciplinary research, training undergraduate and graduate students, and integrating teaching and research.