Microwave and synchrotron far infrared spectroscopy of transient molecules

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The molecular composition of astronomical sources, from interstellar clouds to the atmospheres of remote moons, is of great interest as it provides insights into the evolution of our Universe. For example, more than 180 molecules are known in clouds between stars including organic compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes and ketones; some of which are thought to be prebiotic building blocks. These interstellar clouds ultimately form new solar systems and their chemical composition is tracked using telescopes to detect distinct molecular fingerprints as individual molecules absorb or emit light. These unique features most often involve changes in molecular rotation and occur at microwave (MW) through far infrared (FIR) wavelengths. Detection of several new compounds in remote sources each year is used to refine models of their chemical evolution but the unambiguous identification of novel species requires laboratory-based spectra for comparison.***My research program addresses this need using the latest advances in both MW and FIR spectroscopy to measure, in great detail, the lowest energy states of novel transient molecules that are potential components of astrochemical processes. Many of these are also short-lived species that drive reactions on Earth including those involved in combustion, thin film deposition and atmospheric reactions. In addition to characterizing unique fingerprints of new compounds, these spectra are needed to derive fundamental molecular properties such as the geometry, barriers to internal re-arrangements and the nature of interactions between rotational and vibrational motions. This accurate molecular-level information furthers our understanding of the chemistry of transient compounds and will lead to better models and control of chemical processes of all types. ***Key elements of this research include the ongoing development of new methods for producing and probing mixtures of transient species in the MW and FIR regions. Trainees will use two state-of-the-art custom-built Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectrometers at the University of Manitoba to optimize the generation of novel compounds. One provides fast MW spectral surveys to identify rotational transitions of individual components of a gaseous mixture while the other uses a resonator cavity to then record specific features (one by one) very precisely and sensitively. Information extracted from the spectra guides our investigation of vibrational fingerprints of molecules using the FIR beamline of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron in Saskatoon; one of only four facilities in the world equipped for this purpose. Our development of big data' automated assignment strategies to deal with complex MW and FIR spectra over the next few years will open the field of high resolution spectroscopy to new researchers and increasingly challenging scientific questions. *** *** *** *** *** *** **