Interdisciplinary Studies of H3+: Reactions with e and H2 in the Laboratory and the Interstellar Medium

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

This project represents an interdisciplinary program of research at the interface between chemistry, physics, and astronomy centered on the simplest polyatomic molecule, H3+. The laboratory component of the research involves the study of the dissociative recombination of H3+ with electrons and the proton-swapping "reaction, which represent the simplest cases of dissociative recombination and chemical reaction for polyatomic molecules. The observational component entails the spectroscopic measurement and analysis of H3+ in a sample of diffuse interstellar clouds, which will permit the determination of the cosmic-ray ionization rate. The experimental results will also be used to model the interconversion of the ortho and para forms of H2 and H3+ in the dense interstellar medium. This research, and associated activities, can be expected to have a broad impact in terms of enhancing interdisciplinary research, training undergraduate and graduate students, and integrating teaching and research.