Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Alberta
$129,500.00
A Fast Digital Oscilloscope for Chirped Pulse Microwave Spectroscopy
FY 2014-15
Summary
The development of chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in 2008, made possible by the tremendous advances in ultrafast electronics, has revolutionized the field of rotational spectroscopy. This novel method enables microwave spectroscopic studies of complex molecular systems with tens of heavy atoms that were thought to be impossible before. Particularly interesting examples are studies of structures of water clusters with up to twelve subunits, conformational landscapes of monosaccharides, chirality recognition events, and microscopic superfluidity. We have constructed such an instrument in our laboratory in 2011 and implemented several improvements in 2012. Since then, it has become a workhorse for our research group and has resulted in 12 publications in high quality journals thus far. At the heart of the instrument is a fast digital oscilloscope that is needed to record the transient molecular emission signal ('free induction decay') in real time. The great advantage of the large bandwidth of several GHz of such an instrument, as compared to ~500 kHz for a traditional Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, is made possible by the high sampling rate and long term phase stability of these oscilloscopes. At the time of construction, budgetary constraints required us to purchase a refurbished oscilloscope. The performance of this instrument is now deteriorating and we observe spurious signals, high noise floor, and more and more frequent total failures. We are requesting funds to purchase a new and faster oscilloscope. This will not only be a replacement for the failing system to keep our successful research programs running, but its much improved specifications will also allow us to study molecular systems of even greater complexity. An example is the study of the sequential hydration of monosaccharides to elucidate the effect of water hydrogen bonding on the conformational flexibility and the connection to their chiroptical spectral signatures in water.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
472994-2015
Name nom
Jaeger, Wolfgang
Department département
Chemistry
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2015
Award amount
129500
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1504
Committee name en
Chemistry
Committee name fr
Chimie
Area of application code
1200
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application fr
Avancement des connaissances
Research subject code
3400
Research subject group en
Physical chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie physique
Research subject en
Physical chemistry
Research subject fr
Chimie physique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A Fast Digital Oscilloscope for Chirped Pulse Microwave Spectroscopy
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The development of chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in 2008, made possible by the tremendous advances in ultrafast electronics, has revolutionized the field of rotational spectroscopy. This novel method enables microwave spectroscopic studies of complex molecular systems with tens of heavy atoms that were thought to be impossible before. Particularly interesting examples are studies of structures of water clusters with up to twelve subunits, conformational landscapes of monosaccharides, chirality recognition events, and microscopic superfluidity. We have constructed such an instrument in our laboratory in 2011 and implemented several improvements in 2012. Since then, it has become a workhorse for our research group and has resulted in 12 publications in high quality journals thus far. At the heart of the instrument is a fast digital oscilloscope that is needed to record the transient molecular emission signal ('free induction decay') in real time. The great advantage of the large bandwidth of several GHz of such an instrument, as compared to ~500 kHz for a traditional Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, is made possible by the high sampling rate and long term phase stability of these oscilloscopes. At the time of construction, budgetary constraints required us to purchase a refurbished oscilloscope. The performance of this instrument is now deteriorating and we observe spurious signals, high noise floor, and more and more frequent total failures. We are requesting funds to purchase a new and faster oscilloscope. This will not only be a replacement for the failing system to keep our successful research programs running, but its much improved specifications will also allow us to study molecular systems of even greater complexity. An example is the study of the sequential hydration of monosaccharides to elucidate the effect of water hydrogen bonding on the conformational flexibility and the connection to their chiroptical spectral signatures in water.
