Laser Spectroscopy of Main Group Reactive Intermediates

在这个由化学系实验物理化学项目资助的奖项中，肯塔基大学的Dennis J. Clouthier教授将与他的研究生研究人员一起研究含有硼、砷或磷原子的分子自由基的光谱。这些物种将用基于激光的光谱方法进行研究。这些研究的目的有两个：一是研究一些有趣的化学物质的电子结构和分子特性，二是为这些分子建立一个光谱指纹数据库——这个数据库可以供天文学家或对这些不寻常环境中的化学物质感兴趣的工业过程化学家使用。硅电子工业通过化学气相沉积（CVD）工艺制造有用的器件。这些过程在化学上是复杂的，在沉积过程中涉及的实际气相化学物质有很多是未知的。Clouthier教授和他的学生的目标是为一些自由基中间体提供光谱指纹，这些中间体被认为是CVD工艺环境中重要的物种。此外，一些感兴趣的化合物是天文研究人员感兴趣的目标。克劳塞尔教授指导的研究生已经在技术队伍中获得了成功的职位，克劳塞尔教授为其他学校（如东肯塔基大学、俄克拉何马浸会大学）的本科生创造了一个友好的环境，让他们从事物理化学研究。

In this award, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Dennis J. Clouthier of University of Kentucky, together with his graduate student researchers, will study the spectroscopy of molecular radicals containing boron, arsenic or phosphorous atoms. These species will be studied with laser-based spectroscopic methods. The goal of these studies is two-fold: to study the electronic structure and molecular properties of some interesting chemical species and to build-up a database of spectroscopic fingerprints for these molecules -- a database that could be used by astronomers or industrial process chemists interested in the chemistry in these unusual environments. The silicon electronics industry fabricates useful devices through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. These processes are chemically complex, and much is unknown about the actual gas-phase chemical species involved in the deposition process. Prof. Clouthier and his students aim to provide spectral fingerprints for a number of radical intermediates that have been postulated to be important species in CVD process environments. In addition, a number of the compounds of interest are interesting targets for astronomical researchers. The graduate students mentored by Clouthier have gone on to successful positions in the technical workforce, and Prof. Clouthier has created a welcoming environment for undergraduate students from other schools (e.g. Eastern Kentucky University, Oklahoma Baptist University) in which to pursue physical chemical research.