Open questions on the interaction dynamics of molecules and clusters in the gas phase

Abstract

Emerging experimental techniques combined with theoretical advances allow unprecedented studies of the dynamics of gas phase molecules and clusters induced in interactions with photons, electrons, or heavy particles. Here, the authors highlight recent advances, key open questions, and challenges in this field of research with focus on experimental studies of dynamics of ions stored on millisecond timescales and beyond, and its applications in astrochemistry and astronomy.

Bond breaking and making in mixed clusters of fullerene and coronene molecules induced by keV-ion impact

“…The formation and breakage of bonds are at the heart of chemical reactions and govern the evolution of molecules in terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. 1 In recent years, there have been numerous studies reporting molecular growth processes in gas-phase molecular clusters ignited by different ionization and excitation agents (photon, electron, and ion impact). Examples include peptide bond formation in clusters of amino acids, 2,3 formation of aromatic rings in clusters of small carbon chains, 4 and growth of complex carbon nanostructures in pure and mixed clusters of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes.…”

Efficient radiative cooling of tetracene cations C18H12+: absolute recurrent fluorescence rates as a function of internal energy

“…Electrostatic ion storage devices such as electrostatic ion-beam traps [26][27][28][29][30] or electrostatic ion-beam storage rings [31][32][33][34][35][36] are well suited for studies of the dynamics of molecular processes in the ms to second time-range 37 such as spontaneous or thermionic electron emission [38][39][40][41] , unimolecular statistical dissociation 27,42 , slow isomerization 43 or radiative cooling [44][45][46][47][48] , processes where rates may vary over several orders of magnitude depending on the internal energy.…”

Current stage and future development of Belgrade collisional and radiative databases/datasets of importance for molecular dynamics

“…(see e.g. Gatchell & Zettergren 32 ). Here we present research activities in Belgrade that develop databases on collision/radiative cross-sections, describe the development and some technical aspects of the databases, summarize some recent and future developments and currently planned updates and outline our plans for the near future.…”