Search

Title: Mass spectrometric and optical spectroscopy studies of clusters and nano- particles in molecular beams Author: Kamila Moriová Institue: Institute of Physics of Charles University Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Michal Fárník, Ph.D., DSc., J. Heyrovský Institute of Phy- sical Chemistry of the CAS Consultant: RNDr. Václav Profant, Ph.D., Institute of Physics of Charles Uni- versity Abstract: Condensation of ices on the surface of dust grains with activation of these ices by cosmic rays in interstellar medium can lead to formation of complex chemical species. In the present work we primarily examine ammonia clusters, which represent a model system of ice particles. Large ammonia clusters were prepared in molecular beams and pass through a pickup chamber in which me- thanol molecules were captured. After electron ionization of (NH3)N (CH3OH)M clusters, a mass spectrum of ionic fragments was obtained in which fragments with methanol (NH3)n(CH3OH)mH+ predominated over the pure ammonia frag- ments (NH3)nH+ : at least one methanol molecule was present in 75 % fragments. This is in disproportion with the composition of the original neutral precursors, which contain less than 4 % of methanol. Based on the measurement results, we suggest that ammonia is ionized in the first place resulting in the NH+ 4 ion core solvated...

Within the framework of my BSc Thesis I became familiar with a unique molecular beam apparatus for cluster studies. I have learned about clusters and molecular beams, mass spectrometry, photodissociation and molecular dynamics. My specific task was to generace several computer programs for data acquisition and evaluation of~the~present experiments: (1) A program for TOF to mass spectra conversion. This program facilitated immediate evaluation of~the~measured mass spectra. (2) A program for TOF spectra conversion into the kinetic energy distribution KED of the fragments, which provides immediate information about the studied photochemical processes. The immediate information provided by both these programs enable a more effective control of the experiment. (3) Finally, I have modified Monte-Carlo simulation program. This program serves the ultimate TOF→ KED conversion of the experimental data. All the programs were tested with photodissociation of a well studied system of HBr cluster, and they have shown a good performance.