High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy of molecules desorbed from an ice surface: a proof-of-principle study

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a novel high-resolution gas phase spectroscopy method combining chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave detection with low-temperature surface desorption, enabling detailed analysis of molecules released from ice surfaces relevant to astrophysics.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental approach for studying desorbed molecules from ice surfaces using high-resolution microwave spectroscopy, advancing astrochemical research.

Findings

Successful detection of ammonia desorption using the new setup

High sensitivity and unambiguous molecular identification achieved

Method applicable to complex organic molecules in astrochemistry

Abstract

High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy techniques in the microwave, millimeter-wave and terahertz spectral ranges can be used to study complex organic molecules desorbed from interstellar ice analogues surface with a high sensitivity. High-resolution gas phase spectroscopy gives unambiguous information about the molecular composition, the molecular structure, and transition frequencies needed for their detection by radio telescopes in various interstellar and circumstellar environments. The results will be useful not only for interpreting astronomical spectra and understanding astrophysical processes, but also for more general studies of gas-surface chemistry. This paper presents a new experimental approach based on a combination of a chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer detection and a low temperature surface desorption experiment. The experimental set-up is benchmarked on the desorption of ammonia ice detected by high-resolution gas phase microwave spectroscopy.