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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization

Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization

Published on: August 6, 2018

Multipass millimeter/submillimeter spectrometer to probe dissociative reaction dynamics.

Jacob C Laas¹, Brian M Hays, Susanna L Widicus Weaver

¹Department of Chemistry, Emory University , Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A

|May 18, 2013

Summary

A new millimeter/submillimeter spectrometer was benchmarked by detecting methanol dissociation products. This instrument achieved high sensitivity, paving the way for studying interstellar chemistry.

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization

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Published on: August 6, 2018

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Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

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Published on: January 9, 2014

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Spectroscopy
Chemical Dynamics

Background:

Dissociative reaction dynamics are crucial for understanding chemical processes.
Millimeter/submillimeter spectroscopy offers high sensitivity for molecular detection.
Methanol is a key molecule in interstellar chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

To present the instrument design and initial performance of a novel multipass millimeter/submillimeter spectrometer.
To benchmark the spectrometer's capabilities by analyzing methanol dissociation products.
To establish the instrument's sensitivity for future applications in astrochemistry.

Main Methods:

Utilized a high-voltage plasma discharge to induce methanol dissociation.
Employed a multipass millimeter/submillimeter spectrometer for product detection.
Applied Boltzmann analysis to determine rotational temperature and abundance of dissociation products.

Main Results:

Successfully detected multiple rotational lines of CH3O and H2CO from methanol dissociation.
Determined the rotational temperature and relative abundance of the observed products.
Established a minimum detectable absorption coefficient of αmin ≤ 5 × 10(-9) cm(-1).

Conclusions:

The developed spectrometer is highly sensitive and effective for probing dissociative reaction dynamics.
The instrument's performance is validated through methanol dissociation product analysis.
Future applications include studying photodissociation of small organic molecules relevant to interstellar chemistry.