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Prof. Leah Dodson, University of Maryland
Friday, April 30, 2021, 01:00pm - 02:00pm
 

Leah DodsonCryogenic Spectroscopy of Molecular Ions: Applications and Future Astrochemical Directions

Preparation of cold (< 50 K) molecules and ions in the gas phase enables discoveries of the fundamental chemical and physical properties of these species. In this talk, I will show how we investigated the intrinsic photophysics of nitrophenolate isomers (meta, para, and ortho) at low temperature using photodissociation mass spectrometry in a cryogenic ion trap instrument. This study revealed that each isomer has distinct photophysics that affect the excited state lifetimes, as observed experimentally in their spectroscopic linewidths. Visible-light-induced excitation of m-nitrophenolate gives rise to well-resolved vibronic features in the spectrum of the S1 state that have been assigned using a Franck-Condon analysis. The para and ortho isomers have broad spectra – even at cryogenic temperatures – due to their shorter exited state lifetimes and spectral congestion. I will present computational evidence for mixing of the first and second excited states of o-nitrophenolate, leading to significant additional broadening in the experimental spectrum.

I will also introduce the astrochemical goals of my new research group at the University of Maryland and describe how we will use similar low-temperature techniques to prepare and study molecules and ions at temperatures relevant to circumstellar and planetary environments.

Hosted by Professor Richard Remsing

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