Formation, processing, reactivity, and IR signature of ultra-small Si- and Mg-bearing interstellar dust particles

• Applicant: Dr. Sandra Marianne Lang
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 556097941

Understanding the cosmic formation of complex organic molecules (COMs), which represent the fundamental building blocks of life, is one of the biggest challenges in astrochemistry. Besides the formation of COMs in gas phase reactions, processes occurring on the surface of ice-covered dust grains are believed to be highly important. Despite tremendous progress in the understanding of astrochemistry during the last decades, many, in particular very fundamental processes regarding dust formation and dust-related chemistry are not understood yet. In particular, the role of bare (non-ice covered) silicate dust particles as well as ultra-small (sub)nanometer sized silicate particles (clusters) seems to be largely unexplored. In this proposal, we aim to apply experimental methods, that are well established in cluster catalysis research, to study fundamental problems of silicate dust related astrochemistry, such as (a) the formation and processing of dust condensates/nucleation seeds and (b) the dust particle mediated (pre-)COM formation. In addition, we aim to provide infrared spectroscopic reference data for the potential identification of such clusters in the interstellar medium (ISM) by the James Webb Space Telescope.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants