83 research outputs found
Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption of prime ice analogues of Pluto and Charon
Here we present the first Vacuum UltraViolet (VUV) photoabsorption spectra of ice analogues of Pluto and Charon ice mixtures. For Pluto the ice analogue is an icy mixture containing nitrogen (N2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4) and water (H2O) prepared with a 100:1:1:3 ratio, respectively. Photoabsorption of icy mixtures with and without H2O were recorded and no significant changes in the spectra due to presence of H2O were observed. For Charon a VUV photoabsorption spectra of an ice analogue containing ammonia (NH3) and H2O prepared with a 1:1 ratio was recorded, a spectrum of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) was also recorded. These spectra may help to interpret the P-Alice data from New Horizons
Resonant Raman of OH/OD vibrations and photoluminescence studies in LiTaO3 thin film
Resonant Raman spectra (RRS) of O-H and O-D vibration and libration modes,
their combinations and higher harmonics have been observed in LiTaO3
polycrystalline thin films. RRS peaks are superimposed on photoluminescence
(PL) spectrum. Monochromatic light from a xenon lamp is used as excitation
source. PL spectrum shows two broad peaks, first near the band gap in UV
(4.4-4.8eV) and another in the sub band gap region (< 4.0 eV). Band gap PL
along with RRS peaks are reported for the first time. Photoluminescence
excitation spectrum (PLE) shows a peak at 4.8 eV. Peak positions and full width
at half maximum (FWHM) of RRS peaks depend upon the excitation energy.
Dispersions of the fundamental and the third harmonic of the stretching mode of
O-H with excitation energy are about 800 cm-1/eV and 2000 cm-1/eV respectively.
This dispersion is much higher than reported in any other material.Comment: 20 page
Qualitative observation of reversible phase change in astrochemical ethanethiol ices using infrared spectroscopy
Here we report the first evidence for a reversible phase change in an ethanethiol ice prepared under astrochemical conditions. InfraRed (IR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the morphology of the ice using the Ssingle bondH stretching vibration, a characteristic vibration of thiol molecules. The deposited sample was able to switch between amorphous and crystalline phases repeatedly under temperature cycles between 10 K and 130 K with subsequent loss of molecules in every phase change. Such an effect is dependent upon the original thickness of the ice. Further work on quantitative analysis is to be carried out in due course whereas here we are reporting the first results obtained
Dispersion of Resonant Raman Peaks of CO and OH in SnO2, Mo1-x FexO2 Thin Films and SiO2 bulk glass
Resonance Raman (RR) peaks of and stretching modes and their higher harmonics
have been observed superimposed on photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of thin
films. Commercial fluorine doped thin films deposited by sputtering on glass
and thin films deposited on Si by laser ablation have been studied. The
dispersions of CO and OH stretching RR modes are ~ 600 cm-1/eV and 800 cm-1
respectively. The dispersion of the third harmonic of CO stretching mode is ~
2000 cm-1/eV. Similar dispersion of RR peak of stretching modes and higher
harmonics superimposed on PL spectra has been observed in Mo1-xFexO2 thin films
and SiO2 bulk glass. Large dispersion of RR peaks seems to be a common property
of oxides with impurities of and .Comment: 13 pages including three figure
Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectra of nitrile ices for their identification on Pluto
Icy bodies, such as Pluto, are known to harbor simple and complex molecules. The recent New Horizons flyby of Pluto has revealed a complex surface composed of bright and dark ice surfaces, indicating a rich chemistry based on nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), and carbon monoxide (CO). Nitrile (CN) containing molecules such as acetonitrile (CH3CN), propionitrile (CH3CH2CN), butyronitrile (CH3CH2CH2CN), and isobutyronitrile ((CH3)2CHCN) are some of the nitrile molecules that are known to be synthesized by radiative processing of such simple ices. Through the provision of a spectral atlas for such compounds we propose that such nitriles may be identified from the ALICE payload on board New Horizons</i
Communication: Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption of interstellar icy thiols
Following the recent identification of ethanethiol in the interstellar medium (ISM) we have carried out Vacuum UltraViolet (VUV) spectroscopy studies of ethanethiol (CH3CH2SH) from 10 K until sublimation in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber simulating astrochemical conditions. These results are compared with those of methanethiol (CH3SH), the lower order thiol also reported to be present in the ISM. VUV spectra recorded at higher temperature reveal conformational changes in the ice and phase transitions whilst evidence for dimer production is also presented
Vacuum ultraviolet and infrared spectra of condensed methyl acetate on cold astrochemical dust analogs
Following the recent report of the first identification of methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) in the interstellar medium (ISM) we have carried out Vacuum UltraViolet (VUV) and InfraRed (IR) spectroscopy studies on methyl acetate from 10 K until sublimation in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) chamber simulating astrochemical conditions. We present the first VUV and IR spectra of methyl acetate relevant to ISM conditions. Spectral signatures clearly showed molecular reorientation to have started in the ice by annealing the amorphous ice formed at 10 K. An irreversible phase change from amorphous to crystalline methyl acetate ice was found to be between 110 K and 120 K
- …