Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are observed in interstellar space by the fluorescent radiation they emit in infrared yielding the astronomical Aromatic Infrared Bands (AIBs). Although they are ubiquitous, it is unknown what specific PAHs are present and molecular specificity is required. Employing IR-UV double resonance spectroscopy on PAHs we hope to link spectral variations in the AIBs to specific molecular structures. Moreover, we are looking for a link between PAHs and the UV/visible absorption lines observed in space, the so-called Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs), by means of (1+1’) REMPI spectroscopy. We will present the (1+1’) REMPI spectra of increasingly larger PAHs starting with 6 rings.

High-resolution spectroscopy of gas phase aromatic molecules

254th National Meeting (2017)

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