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Two fundamental halocarbon ions, CH2Cl+ and CH3ClH+, were studied in the gas phase using the FELion 22-pole ion trap apparatus and the Free Electron Laser for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) at Radboud University, Nijmegen (the Netherlands). The vibrational bands of a total of four isotopologs, CH235,37Cl+ and CH335,37ClH+, were observed in selected wavenumber regions between 500 and 2900 cm−1 and then spectroscopically assigned based on the results of anharmonic force field calculations performed at the CCSD(T) level of theory. As the infrared photodissociation spectroscopy scheme employed probes singly Ne-tagged weakly bound complexes, complementary quantum-chemical calculations of selected species were also performed. The impact of tagging on the vibrational spectra of CH2Cl+ and CH3ClH+ is found to be virtually negligible for most bands; for CH3ClH+–Ne, the observations suggest a proton-bound structural arrangement. The experimental band positions as well as the best estimate rotational molecular parameters given in this work provide a solid basis for future spectroscopic studies at high spectral resolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared a sample of mono-deuterated oxirane and studied its rotational spectrum in the laboratory between 490 and 1060 GHz in order to improve its spectroscopic parameters and consequently the calculated rest frequencies of its rotational transitions. The updated rest frequencies were employed to detect c -C2H3DO for the first time in the interstellar medium in the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS) of the Class 0 protostellar system IRAS 16293−2422. Fits of the detected lines using the rotation diagrams yield a temperature of T rot = 103 ± 19 K, which in turn agrees well with 125 K derived for the c -C2H4O main isotopologue previously. The c -C2H3DO to c -C2H4O ratio is found to be ∼0.15 corresponding to a D-to-H ratio of ∼0.036 per H atom, which is slightly higher than the D-to-H ratio of species such as methanol, formaldehyde, and ketene but lower than those of the larger complex organic species such as ethanol, methyl formate, and glycolaldehyde. This may reflect that oxirane is formed fairly early in the evolution of the prestellar cores. The identification of doubly deuterated oxirane isotopomers in the PILS data may be possibly judged by the amount of mono-deuterated oxirane and the observed trend that multiply deuterated isotopologues have higher deuteration rates than their mono-deuterated variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Cyclopropenone was first detected in the cold and less dense envelope of the giant molecular cloud Sagittarius B2(N). It was found later in several cold dark clouds and it may be possible to detect its minor isotopic species in these environments. In addition, the main species may well be identified in warmer environments. Aims. We aim to extend existing line lists of isotopologs of c-H2C3O from the microwave to the millimeter region and create one for the singly deuterated isotopolog to facilitate their detections in space. Furthermore, we aim to extend the line list of the main isotopic species to the submillimeter region and to evaluate an equilibrium structure of the molecule. Methods. We employed a cyclopropenone sample in natural isotopic composition to investigate the rotational spectra of the main and 18O-containing isotopologs as well as the two isotopomers containing one 13C atom. Spectral recordings of the singly and doubly deuterated isotopic species were obtained using a cyclopropenone sample highly enriched in deuterium. We recorded rotational transitions in the 70−126 and 160−245 GHz regions for all isotopologs and also in the 342−505 GHz range for the main species. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to evaluate initial spectroscopic parameters and the differences between ground-state and equilibrium rotational parameters in order to derive semi-empirical equilibrium structural parameters. Results. We determined new or improved spectroscopic parameters for six isotopologs and structural parameters according to different structure models. Conclusions. The spectroscopic parameters are accurate enough to identify minor isotopic species at centimeter and millimeter wavelengths while those of the main species are deemed to be reliable up to 1 THz. Our structural parameters differ from earlier ones. The deviations are attributed to misassignments in the earlier spectrum of one isotopic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new global study of the millimeter (mm) wave, submillimeter (sub-mm) wave, and terahertz (THz) spectra of the lowest three torsional states of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH). New measurements have been carried out between 50 and 510 GHz using the Kharkiv mm wave and the Cologne sub-mm wave spectrometers whereas THz spectra records were used from our previous study. The new data, involving torsion–rotation transitions with J up to 61 and Ka up to 18, were combined with previously published measurements and fit using the rho-axis-method torsion–rotation Hamiltonian. The final fit used 124 parameters to give an overall weighted root-mean-square deviation of 0.72 for the dataset consisting of 6965 microwave (MW) and 16 345 far-infrared line frequencies sampling transitions within and between the ground, first, and second excited torsional states. This investigation presents a two-fold expansion in the J quantum numbers and a significant improvement in the fit quality, especially for the MW part of the data, thus allowing us to provide more reliable predictions to support astronomical observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is an important sulfur-bearing species in the interstellar medium, terrestrial environment, and potentially in planetary atmospheres. The aim of the present study is to provide accurate spectroscopic parameters for the most abundant minor isotopolog CH334SH to support radio astronomical observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. The rotational spectrum of CH334SH, which is complicated by the large-amplitude internal rotation of the CH3 group versus the 34SH frame, was investigated in the 49−510 GHz and 1.1−1.5 THz frequency ranges in natural isotopic abundance. The analysis of the spectrum was performed up to the second excited torsional state, and the obtained data were modeled with the RAM36 program. A fit within experimental accuracy was obtained with a RAM Hamiltonian model that uses 72 parameters. Predictions based on this fit are used to search for CH334SH with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) toward the hot molecular core Sgr B2(N2), but blends with emission lines of other species prevent its firm identification in this source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Cyanamide is one of the few interstellar molecules containing two chemically different N atoms. It was detected recently toward the solar-type protostar IRAS 16293−2422 B together with H2N13CN and HDNCN in the course of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS). The detection of the 15N isotopomers or the determination of upper limits to their column densities was hampered by the lack of accurate laboratory data at the frequencies of the survey. Aims. We wanted to determine spectroscopic parameters of the 15N isotopomers of cyanamide that are accurate enough for predictions well into the submillimeter region and to search for them in the PILS data. Methods. We investigated the laboratory rotational spectra of H215NCN and H2NC15N in the selected region between 192 and 507 GHz employing a cyanamide sample in natural isotopic composition. Additionally, we recorded transitions of H2N13CN. Results. We obtained new or improved spectroscopic parameters for the three isotopic species. Neither of the 15N isotopomers of cyanamide were detected unambiguously in the PILS data. Two relatively clean lines can be tentatively assigned to H215NCN. If confirmed, their column densities would imply a low 14N/15N ratio for cyanamide toward this source. Conclusions. The resulting line lists should be accurate enough for observations up to about 1 THz. More sensitive observations, potentially at different frequencies, may eventually lead to the astronomical detection of these isotopic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The spectra of four low-lying vibrational states of both anti and gauche conformers of normal-propyl cyanide were previously measured and analyzed in two spectral windows between 36 and 127 GHz. All states were then identified in a spectral line survey called Exploring Molecular Complexity with ALMA (EMoCA) toward Sagittarius B2(N) between 84.1 and 114.4 GHz with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in its Cycles 0 and 1. Aims. We wanted to extend the measurements and analysis up to 506 GHz to provide accurate predictions over a much wider range of frequencies, quantum numbers and energies. Methods. We carried out measurements in two additional frequency windows up to 506 GHz. Results. For the gauche conformer, a large number of both a- and b-type transitions were identified. For the anti conformer, transitions were predominantly, but not exclusively, a-type. We hence improved molecular parameters for the ground states of both anti- and gauche-n-propyl cyanide and for excited vibrational states of the gauche conformer (v30 = 1, v29 = 1, v30 = 2, v28 = 1) and anti conformer (v30 = 1, v18 = 1, v30 = 2, v29 = 1) with high order coupling parameters determined between v18 = 1 and v30 = 2. Parameters are published for the first time for v18 = v30 = 1 of the anti conformer and for v29 = v30 = 1 of the gauche conformer. Conclusions. In total 15385 lines have been incorporated in the fits and should allow good predictions for unperturbed lines over the whole operating range of radio-telescopes. Evidence is found for vibrational coupling for some levels above 380 GHz. The coupling between v18 = 1 and v30 = 2 of the anti conformer has been well characterized. An additional list of 740 lines showing potential but as yet unidentified coupling has been provided for astrophysical identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Thioformaldehyde is an abundant molecule in various regions of the interstellar medium. However, available laboratory data limit the accuracies of calculated transition frequencies in the submillimeter region, in particular for minor isotopic species. Aims. We aim to determine spectroscopic parameters of isotopologs of H2CS that are accurate enough for predictions well into the submillimeter region. Methods. We investigated the laboratory rotational spectra of numerous isotopic species in natural isotopic composition almost continuously between 110 and 377 GHz. Individual lines were studied for most species in two frequency regions between 566 and 930 GHz. Further data were obtained for the three most abundant species in the 1290−1390 GHz region. Results. New or improved spectroscopic parameters were determined for seven isotopic species. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to evaluate the differences between ground state and equilibrium rotational parameters to derive semi-empirical equilibrium structural parameters. Conclusions. The spectroscopic parameters are accurate enough for predictions well above 1 THz with the exception of H213 H 2 13 $ {\rm{H}}_2^{13} $ C34S where the predictions should be reliable to around 700 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl mercaptan (also known as methanethiol), CH3SH, has been found in the warm and dense parts of high- as well as low- mass star-forming regions. The aim of the present study is to obtain accurate spectroscopic parameters of the S-deuterated methyl mercaptan CH3SD to facilitate astronomical observations by radio telescope arrays at (sub)millimeter wavelengths. We have measured the rotational spectrum associated with the large-amplitude internal rotation of the methyl group of methyl mercaptan using an isotopically enriched sample in the 150−510 GHz frequency range using the Köln millimeter wave spectrometer. The analysis of the spectra has been performed up to the second excited torsional state. We present modeling results of these data with the RAM36 program. CH3SD was searched for, but not detected, in data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS) of the deeply embedded protostar IRAS 16293−2422. The derived upper limit corresponds to a degree of deuteration of at most ∼18%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present first results of a new heterodyne spectrometer dedicated to high-resolution spectroscopy of molecules of astrophysical importance. The spectrometer, based on a room-temperature heterodyne receiver, is sensitive to frequencies between 75 and 110 GHz with an instantaneous bandwidth of currently 2.5 GHz in a single sideband. The system performance, in particular the sensitivity and stability, is evaluated. Proof of concept of this spectrometer is demonstrated by recording the emission spectrum of methyl cyanide, CH3CN. Compared to state-of-the-art radio telescope receivers the instrument is less sensitive by about one order of magnitude. Nevertheless, the capability for absolute intensity measurements can be exploited in various experiments, in particular for the interpretation of the ever richer spectra in the ALMA era. The ease of operation at room-temperature allows for long time integration, the fast response time for integration in chirped pulse instruments or for recording time dependent signals. Future prospects as well as limitations of the receiver for the spectroscopy of complex organic molecules (COMs) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cologne Database for Molecular Spectroscopy, CDMS, was founded 1998 to provide in its catalog section line lists of mostly molecular species which are or may be observed in various astronomical sources (usually) by radio astronomical means. The line lists contain transition frequencies with qualified accuracies, intensities, quantum numbers, as well as further auxiliary information. They have been generated from critically evaluated experimental line lists, mostly from laboratory experiments, employing established Hamiltonian models. Separate entries exist for different isotopic species and usually also for different vibrational states. As of December 2015, the number of entries is 792. They are available online as ascii tables with additional files documenting information on the entries. The Virtual Atomic and Molecular Data Centre, VAMDC, was founded more than 5 years ago as a common platform for atomic and molecular data. This platform facilitates exchange not only between spectroscopic databases related to astrophysics or astrochemistry, but also with collisional and kinetic databases. A dedicated infrastructure was developed to provide a common data format in the various databases enabling queries to a large variety of databases on atomic and molecular data at once. For CDMS, the incorporation in VAMDC was combined with several modifications on the generation of CDMS catalog entries. Here we introduce related changes to the data structure and the data content in the CDMS. The new data scheme allows us to incorporate all previous data entries but in addition allows us also to include entries based on new theoretical descriptions. Moreover, the CDMS entries have been transferred into a mySQL database format. These developments within the VAMDC framework have in part been driven by the needs of the astronomical community to be able to deal efficiently with large data sets obtained with the Herschel Space Telescope or, more recently, with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Deuterated forms of CH3+ are thought to be responsible for deuterium enrichment in lukewarm astronomical environments. There is no unambiguous detection of CH2D+ in space to date. Aims. Four submillimetre rotational lines of CH2D+ are documented in the literature. Our aim is to present a complete dataset of highly resolved rotational lines, including millimetre (mm) lines needed for a potential detection. Methods. We used a low-temperature ion trap and applied a novel IR–mm-wave double resonance method to measure the rotational lines of CH2D+. Results. We measured 21 low-lying (J ≤ 4) rotational transitions of CH2D+ between 23 GHz and 1.1 THz with accuracies close to 2 ppb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Deuterated forms of CH3+ are thought to be responsible for deuterium enrichment in lukewarm astronomical environments. There is no unambiguous detection of CH2D+ in space to date. Aims. Four submillimetre rotational lines of CH2D+ are documented in the literature. Our aim is to present a complete dataset of highly resolved rotational lines, including millimetre (mm) lines needed for a potential detection. Methods. We used a low-temperature ion trap and applied a novel IR–mm-wave double resonance method to measure the rotational lines of CH2D+. Results. We measured 21 low-lying (J ≤ 4) rotational transitions of CH2D+ between 23 GHz and 1.1 THz with accuracies close to 2 ppb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic benzylium and tropylium are known to be two competitive isomers for the –H fragment of the methylbenzene (toluene) cation. Methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) cations are expected to be abundant in space and their dehydrogenation could lead to the formation of both the benzylium- and tropylium-like cations, which are expected to be the two lowest-energy isomers. Here, we considered 1-methylpyrene and two less compact acene-substituted species, namely 2-methylnaphthalene and 2-methylanthracene, as precursors. The cationic –H fragments, C 17 H 11 + , C 11 H 9 + , and C 15 H 11 + , were produced by dissociative ionization, and their neon tagged complexes were formed in the 22-pole cryogenic ion trap instrument FELion that is coupled to the FELIX free electron laser. Infrared (IR) predissociation spectroscopy was performed showing that the strongest depletion band is located at about 1620 cm − 1 , which reveals the predominance of the benzylium-like, XCH 2 + , isomers, where X = Pyr, Nap, or Ant. Saturation depletion measurements showed that only this isomer is present in the case of C 17 H 11 + , whereas for the acene-derived species at least two are present with a large abundance. Synthetic spectra were generated from the theoretical anharmonic IR spectra of the two lowest-energy isomers, namely XCH 2 + and the tropylium-like isomers, XC 7 +. Spectral comparison led us to conclude that there is no evidence for PyrC 7 + but clear evidence for NapC 7 +. No specific spectral features could be identified for AntC 7 + due to a high spectral congestion. These results support the important role of PAH compactness in preventing the formation of XC 7 + species. They also reveal the potential of XCH 2 + species to account for the aromatic infrared band observed in emission at 6. 2 μ m in astrophysical environments. [Display omitted] • The –H fragments of methylated PAH cations can have different structures. • Infrared predissociation action spectroscopy was performed on C 17 H 11 +, C 11 H 9 +, and C 15 H 11 +. • Comparing to anharmonic calculations, they show the predominance of the benzylium-like isomer, XCH 2 +. • The presence of the tropylium-like isomer, XC 7 +, is favored in acene-derived species. • XCH 2 + species could contribute to the astronomical aromatic infrared band at 6.2 μ m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]