Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Our research is geared towards understanding the fundamental structure and properties of highly reactive molecules (metal-bearing and carbon chain) using laser spectroscopy. Molecules are produced by various methods depending on the nature of the problem being investigated. A laser ablation source uses a powerful pulsed laser to vaporize atoms from a metal target and these atoms react with a reagent gas to form a molecular beam. Other sources include electric discharges and ovens. In each case, the molecules are probed and investigated using high resolution tunable laser light. The molecules are excited by the laser to higher energy states from which they can decay back to lower energy states by emitting light. By either detecting and studying the spectrum of this emitted light or observing at which laser frequency the molecules absorb the radiation we can gain a detailed understanding of the bonding, structure, and interactions in the molecule. This physical information is important in understanding both chemical and physical processes occurring in the atmosphere, in space, and the stars and planets. To attain sufficiently detailed information for the molecules we study, we must probe them with a laser of very narrow spectral width (a high resolution cw ring dye laser). Our particular laser, a Coherent 699-29 system, has experienced numerous failures of critical components used to scan and measure the frequency of the laser. In the past, we have replaced these components using purchased parts from Coherent Inc. or scavenged parts from cannibalized laser heads. Coherent Inc. no longer has any parts and we have run out of cannibalized replacements. This laser is used in about 90% of our experiments, since it provides the critical final information that we need to determine the molecular properties to high accuracy. We are requesting funding of $100,160 to purchase a replacement for our aged and failing dye laser. Without a replacement of this laser, the current work of three professors, two graduate students, an honours 4th year research student, the livelihood of one technician, and future summer research projects of a number of undergraduate students are in jeopardy.