Metal Containing Clusters
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Small clusters composed of the main-group elements aluminum and silicon are of great astrochemical significance. To date, eleven silicon-containing and five aluminum-containing molecules have been discovered in space, the majority of them in the envelope of an aging carbon star, IRC+10216. Observations of these molecules provide valuable information about astrochemistry during the late phase of a star’s life. Furthermore, stars in their late stages enrich the interstellar medium with heavy elements.
As part of this research project, new, previously undiscovered aluminum-containing molecules in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum will be investigated. The study will be conducted using the Millimeter/Submillimeter Wave Jet Spectrometer (SuJeSTA, Figs. 1 and 2), which was developed specifically for characterizing astronomically relevant, short-lived species.
We offer dedicated students interesting experimental bachelor's, master's, and doctoral thesis projects in the specialized field of "metal-containing clusters."