Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Infrared Spectra Of Small Radicals For Exoplanetary Spectroscopy: Oh, Nh, Cn, And Ch: The State Of Current Knowledge, Svatopluk Civiš, Adam Pastorek, Martin Ferus, Sergei N. Yurchenko, Noor-Ines Boudjema

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

In this study, we present a current state-of-the-art review of middle-to-near IR emission spectra of four simple astrophysically relevant molecular radicals—OH, NH, CN and CH. The spectra of these radicals were measured by means of time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the 700–7500 cm⁻¹ spectral range and with 0.07–0.02 cm⁻¹ spectral resolution. The radicals were generated in a glow discharge of gaseous mixtures in a specially designed discharge cell. The spectra of short-lived radicals published here are of great importance, especially for the detailed knowledge and study of the composition of exoplanetary atmospheres in selected new planets. Today, …