Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar: New Technology for Exploring State-Dependent Reactivity in Radiative Association Reactions

Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar
New Technology for Exploring State-Dependent Reactivity in Radiative Association Reactions

Dr. Leah Dodson
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Maryland College Park

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This seminar may be attended in person in 2305 Gosnell Hall or online via Zoom.

Dr. Dodson will discuss the development of instruments to explore the astrochemistry of planetary atmospheres via directly measuring temperature-dependent reactivities between between magnesium monocations (Mg+) and cyanopolyyne (HC2n+1N, n = 0–3) neutral molecules.

Abstract:
Polyatomic organometallic molecules are observed in the outer layers of the circumstellar envelopes surrounding evolved stars. Species such as MgC3N and MgC5N (observed by Cernicharo and co-workers in IRC+10216) are thought to form in the cold outer layers through radiative association (RA) reactions of atomic magnesium ions with neutral cyanopolyynes, followed by dissociative recombination. Our group is undertaking a new laboratory effort to develop the tools necessary to measure experimental rate constants for RA reactions, which are notoriously difficult to measure. The instrument combines a cryogenic buffer-gas beam with a cryogenic ion trap in order to investigate ion/molecule RA reactions as a function of temperature. We will measure the rate constants for a series of RA reactions between magnesium monocations (Mg+) and cyanopolyyne (HC2n+1N, n = 0–3) neutral molecules. These experiments will shed light on disagreement between theoretical RA studies, while also providing experimentally-measured rate constants for reactions that are relevant to astrochemistry. In this talk, I will describe our progress toward the development of an instrument capable of directly measuring the temperature-dependent reactivities.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Dodson attended Case Western Reserve U. as an undergraduate , being attracted to the undergrad research opportunities there. She then earned her Ph.D. from the California Inst. of Technology in Pasadena, CA, in 2016 under the mentorship of Mitchio Okumura. Her post-doctoral work was under J. Mathias Weber at JILA at the University of Colorado, where she learned more about ion spectroscopy and cryogenic systems. Her current research trajectory in Maryland involves using cryogenic tools to study spectroscopy and kinetics of astrophysically-relevant molecules and ions. Dr. Dodson is a wine enthusiast who enjoys visiting vineyards and enjoying the country and scenery. She also enjoys Miami Dolphins games.

Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, experts. Those with interest in the topic.

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