Optical spectroscopy of interstellar and circumstellar molecules. A combined laboratory and observational study.
PhD ceremony: Ms. N. Wehres, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Title: Optical spectroscopy of interstellar and circumstellar molecules. A combined laboratory and observational study.
Promotor(s): prof. A.G.G.M. Tielens, prof. H.V.J. Linnartz
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
This thesis describes the identification of inter- and circumstellar molecules by combining laboratory and observational data. The focus is on transient, i.e. radical species.
State-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques, such as time-gated fluorescence and cavity ring-down spectroscopy, are used to search for spectral signatures of carbon chain radicals, like C9H3 and HC7H, in a supersonically expanding plasma. These species have been proposed as potential carriers of diffuse interstellar bands. In addition, the fluorescence spectra are compared with emission spectra of the Red Rectangle proto-planetary nebula that have been recorded for different spatial off-sets with the ESO New Technology Telescope. The assignment of astronomical data, using the laboratory results, provides snapshots of the ongoing chemical evolution in space.
The majority of the data have been recorded in the Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics (Leiden Observatory) and the Laser Center VU.
| Last modified: | 15 September 2017 3.40 p.m. |
More news
-
17 April 2019
Why lightning often strikes twice
In contrast to popular belief, lightning often does strike twice, but the reason why a lightning channel is ‘reused’ has remained a mystery. Now, an international research team led by the University of Groningen has used the LOFAR radio telescope to...
-
16 April 2019
Still going strong after four decades
On March 29th professor of Applied Physics Jeff de Hosson was offered a farewell symposium, a few months after his official retirement date near the close of 2018. ‘But 29 March was the 100th birthday of Jan Francken, my predecessor.’ Besides, De Hosson...
-
11 April 2019
Ben Feringa in orbit around the Sun
Dozens of minor planets that used to orbit the Sun anonymously were named by the International Astronomical Union on 6 April 2019. The asteroid that used to be known as ‘minor planet 12655’ was named after Prof. Ben Feringa, winner of the 2016 Nobel...