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工作。在天文观测中，H~(3+)分子离子是宇宙线电离产生的最简单的多原子物种，在天文观测中起着核心作用。积累了大量的H~(3+)的观测数据，以及光谱可见光区的星际漫射波段，揭示了几个新的问题，这些问题都与物理、化学和天文学的基础知识有关。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。该项目将分析H3+在旋转能级中的热化，提供重要分子离子和自由基的光谱，并试图分析和复制弥漫星际带的实验室光谱。就更广泛的影响而言，这项工作为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这两个领域。这个项目由数学和物理科学局的物理、化学和天文学部门提供支持。

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.