We have designed and built a new ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) chamber optimized to study astrochemistry, the study of chemical reactions relevant to the synthesis of complex molecules in outer space (Fig. 1). The pressure inside a UHV chamber is typically thirteen orders of magnitude lower than atmospheric pressure. Our unique design incorporates four different radiation sources. A UV source, a high-energy ion gun, a high-energy electron gun, and a low-energy electron gun will simulate the four different types of radiation incident on astronomical bodies. In contrast to other UHV chambers, which use a quadrupole mass spectrometer, we will use a recently commercialized ion-trap mass spectrometer which will allow for efficient mass spectrometric analysis of radiolysis and photolysis products. In addition, while most UHV chambers use liquid nitrogen for substrate cooling, our new chamber design will allow for liquid helium cooling to more closely simulate conditions in the interstellar ices. Within the next year, we hope to make operational this one-of-a-kind UHV chamber, which will help us address fundamental questions pertaining to the synthesis of complex molecules in the interstellar medium.Figure 1. Schematic diagram of new UHV chamber optimized for astrochemical studies.

Designing a new ultrahigh vacuum chamber optimized for astrochemical studies

245th National Meeting (2013)

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