MRI-R2: Development of a Cyber-enabled Third Generation Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave (CP-FTMW) Spectrometer

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(Public Law 111-5)获得的。在重大研究和仪器(MRI)计划的这一奖项下，弗吉尼亚大学的Brooks H.Pate教授、匹兹堡大学的David W.Pratt和佛罗里达新学院的Steven T.Shipman提交了一份建议书，以响应MRI-R2的请求，构建第三代啁啾脉冲傅里叶变换微波光谱仪(CP-FTMW)，用于分子结构测定。建议的仪器将推进微波光谱分析构象柔性分子、分子络合物和化学活性物种，如离子和自由基。此外，还将设计和实现使用高速任意波形发生器产生的完全可整形的微波脉冲的强大的新的双共振技术。这些技术将使人们有可能利用光谱仪的性能优势来加速光谱分析，而不仅仅是获取光谱。CP-FTMW技术利用高速数字电子技术的进步，在获得分子转动光谱方面获得了出色的速度和灵敏度。对光谱的分析提供了所研究的分子、离子和自由基的详细结构参数。结构信息是了解化学性质和反应活性的必要条件。这台光谱仪的开发将培养本科生和研究生建造和使用现代仪器的能力。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Professor Brooks H. Pate of the University of Virginia, David W. Pratt of the University of Pittsburgh and Steven T. Shipman of New College of Florida have submitted a proposal in response to the MRI-R2 solicitation to construct a 3rd Generation Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave spectrometer (CP-FTMW) for applications in molecular structure determination. The proposed instrument will advance microwave spectroscopy for the analysis of conformational flexible molecules, molecular complexes and chemically reactive species such as ions and radicals. In addition, powerful new double-resonance techniques using fully shapeable microwave pulses produced by a high-speed arbitrary waveform generator will be designed and implemented. These techniques will make it possible to use the spectrometer's performance gains to speed the analysis of spectra, not just the acquisition of spectra. The CP-FTMW technique exploits advances in high-speed digital electronics to achieve excellent speed and sensitivity in obtaining molecular rotational spectra. Analysis of the spectra provides detailed structural parameters for the molecules, ions and radicals under investigation. Structural information is the sine qua non necessary to understand chemical properties and reactivity. The development of this spectrometer will train undergraduate and graduate students in the construction and use of modern instrumentation.