Dr. Jordy Bouwman, Assistant Professor of Cosmochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder
When
Where
Abstract: Hydrocarbons of all sorts of sizes and shapes are found throughout the various stages of star and planet formation. Using radio astronomical observations, for example, a variety of cyclic hydrocarbons and even polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in the very cold (10 K) and low density Taurus molecular cloud. The same classes of organic molecules are also found in planetary atmospheres, such as that of Saturn’s largest moon Titan. These detections challenge our understanding of the chemical formation mechanisms of these species under extreme conditions. On the other hand, when aromatic hydrocarbons are exposed to strong radiation fields in the interstellar medium or in planetary atmospheres, their molecular structure can be altered and they may eventually photodissociate. In this seminar, I will show that experimental studies using synchrotron and free electron laser radiation – in conjunction with quantum chemical computations – allow us to reveal the formation and dissociation mechanisms of interstellar and planetary hydrocarbons at a molecular level of detail.
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For those viewing the colloquium in room 308, refreshments will be served in the Kuiper atrium at 3:30 p.m.
***Refreshments are not permitted in the seminar room.***