MWSPEC · New trends in microwave spectroscopy

The available microwave technique can supply precise information on conformation, structure, bond energy, internal motions and, sometimes, on charge distribution within molecules and molecular complexes. A lot of improvements are now possible in MW spectroscopy with the chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer (CP-FTMW) invented by Prof. Brooks Pate in recent years. The objectives of this project are to progress significantly in this field. The evolutionary improvements applied to the instruments will allow to get new information about: 1) Biomolecule Microwave Spectroscopy: the topic will develop techniques that have the potential to expand the use of microwave spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for biomolecule structure (up to 50 heavy atoms) and to provide additional structural characterization when the rotational spectrum is insufficient to unambiguously determine the structure; 2) Atmospheric and astrophysical molecules millimiter-wave spectroscopy: improve the sensitivity of the method by taking full advantage of recent advances in technology and develop an analytical instrument for trace gas analysis; 3) Rotational Spectroscopy Probes of Molecular Dynamics: develop a project that would use rotational spectroscopy to probe chemical reaction dynamics following laser excitation, using the line shape analysis of the dynamic rotational spectrum.All this experience will be later on used to the final set-up molecular beam MW spectrometers combined with laser ablation, electrical discharge and 2D resonance. It will allow the study of rotational spectra of various molecules of astrophysical interest and biological interest. Moreover the main activity will be the design of a CP-FTMW spectrometer which will introduce in Europe new spectroscopic techniques.