Laser Spectroscopic Studies of Carbon Chains and Rings

该项目将使用光谱技术的组合，包括傅里叶变换微波光谱，激光诱导荧光，共振增强多光子电离和腔衰荡光谱，研究已知和假设的碳链和环的电子光谱。 这项研究的目的是在实验室进行实验，为长碳链和其他大分子是弥漫星际带的载体的理论提供关键的测试。 同时，这些结果可以提供对碳化学基础的深入了解，特别是从简单的前体形成C60和其他富勒烯。 该项目由物理学、化学和天文学部门以及MPS理事会多学科活动办公室共同赞助，体现了这项工作的跨学科性质。

This project will study the electronic spectra of known and postulated carbon chains and rings using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization, and cavity ringdown spectroscopy. The purpose of the research is to conduct experiments in the laboratory that will provide a crucial test to the theory that long carbon chains and other large molecules are the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands. At the same time the results could provide insight into the fundmentals of carbon chemistry, in particular, the formation of C60 and other fullerenes from simple precursors. Exemplifying the strong interdisciplinary nature of this work, this project is co-sponsored by the Divisions of Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the MPS Directorate.