Astrochemistry at the Cryogenic Storage Ring

The Cryogenic Storage Ring (CSR) at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg combines electrostatic ion optics with extreme vacuum and cryogenic temperatures [1]. The storage ring has a circumference of ~35 m, and the detectors are housed in experimental vacuum chambers that can be cooled down to 5K. It has been shown that within a few minutes of storage infrared-active molecular ions (e.g., CH+ [2] and OH-[3]) cool to their lowest rotational quantum states by spontaneous emission of radiation.

Equipped with an ion-neutral collision setup and a low-energy electron cooler, the CSR offers unique possibilities for astrochemical experiments under true interstellar conditions. We will present an overview of the capabilities of the CSR along with first experimental
results on collisions of neutral C atoms with various hydrogen molecular ions and on the electron recombination of HeH+ [4].

Please note: The colloquium will take place via zoom. Join the meeting via the link:  https://zoom.us/j/4459928099

Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 445 992 8099

References
[1] R. von Hahn, et al., The Cryogenic Storage Ring CSR, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 063115 (2016)

[2] A. O'Connor, et al., Photodissociation of an Internally Cold Beam of CH+ Ions in a Cryogenic Storage Ring, Phys. Rev. Lett 116, 113002 (2016)

[3] Ch. Meyer, et al., Radiative Rotational Lifetimes and State-Resolved Relative Detachment Cross Sections from Photodetachment Thermometry of Molecular Anions in a Cryogenic Storage Ring, Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 02320 (2017)

[4] O. Novotny, Quantum-state-selective electron recombination studies suggest enhanced abundance of primordial HeH+, Science 365, 676 (2019)