Speaker: Emily Ingman (MSSL)

Date: Thursday 30 May 2024

Time: 15:00

Location: 3.30

Ice in Space – Using Experimental Techniques to Understand the Chemistry of the Universe

The interstellar medium (ISM) consists of 99% molecular gas and 1% dust grain particles. At the low temperatures and pressures of the ISM, molecules condense onto dust grains to form ice. Interstellar ices are most commonly processed via thermal radiation from nearby stars, however, icy grains are also subject to various forms of non-thermal processing, such as exposure to energetic charged particles. Consequently, this processing of interstellar ices leads to the desorption of molecules into the gas phase and the subsequent rich chemistry of space. This work investigates the adsorption and the thermal and non-thermal induced desorption behaviour of astrophysically relevant ices using a range of experimental techniques, including temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). A detailed overview of experimental techniques and results will be provided, in addition to a discussion regarding their context within the fields of astrochemistry and astrobiology.