Cold Reactive Collisions

这个实验物理研究项目探索分子物质的潜在结构和相互作用，在新的，未探索的制度。该奖项将支持继续研究以氦为基础的双原子分子。氦是所有原子中化学惰性最强的，但又不至于惰性到不能形成分子。很少有人对这些难以捉摸的“范德华”分子的性质进行测量。它们的结构和形成将在光谱上进行研究，提供对这种极端弱束缚极限下物质的理解。此外，该奖项将支持在绝对零度以上一度温度下的分子碰撞和化学反应的持续研究。这种“冷化学”对于理解化学反应背后的基本物理非常重要，并且提供了比传统“热”化学更敏感的理论测试。这项研究将提高我们对分子物质的结构和化学反应的理解，分子物质是地球上所有物质的主要形式。因此，它可能有一天会导致控制化学反应和化学合成的新方法。此外，研究低温下的反应将提高我们对星际介质的理解。研究生和本科生将接受最先进的光学技术、低温学、真空、电子学和基于计算机的数据采集和分析方面的培训。

This experimental physics research program explores the underlying structure and interactions of molecular matter in new, unexplored regimes. This award will support the continuation of research investigating helium-based diatomic molecules. Helium is the most chemically inert of all the atoms, but not so inert that it cannot form molecules. Very few measurements have been made of the properties of these elusive "van der Waals" molecules. Their structure and formation will be studied spectroscopically, providing an understanding of matter in this extreme weakly-bound limit. In addition, the award will support a continuation of research investigating molecular collisions and chemical reactions at a temperature of one degree above absolute zero. This "cold chemistry" is important for understanding the fundamental physics underlying chemical reactions, and provides more sensitive tests of theory than traditional "hot" chemistry.The research will improve our understanding of the structure and chemical reactions of molecular matter, the primary form of all matter on earth. As such, it may one day lead to new methods of controlling chemical reactions and chemical synthesis. In addition, the study of reactions at cold temperatures will improve our understanding of the interstellar medium. Graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in state-of-the-art optical techniques, as well as cryogenics, vacuum, electronics, and computer-based data acquisition and analysis.