Astrochemistry and Planetary Science

The Savin Group is carrying out laboratory studies relevant to astrochemistry and planetary science. Which of these projects the student would work on will depend on the current status of each project when the student arrives.

One possible project is related to our laboratory studies of key astrochemical reactions that play important roles in the birth of stars and the formation of their surrounding planetary systems. In our past work we have measured the rate coefficients for the reactions of D, C, and O with H₃⁺. Future studies might include measuring the rate coefficients for the reactions of O with H₂⁺ and N₂ with H₃⁺. These studies would be carried out using our novel dual-source, merged, fast-beams apparatus, which is located at Nevis Laboratories.

A second possible project involves laboratory studies designed to improve our ability to interpret in situ and remote-sensing data of the planet Mercury. In specific, we are building an ion beam facility at Nevis Laboratories that will enable us to simulate solar wind ion irradiation of regolith-like loose powders. We expect to be in the construction phase of the project this summer. Our laboratory studies will be the most realistic simulations to date for the effects of ion irradiation on regolith-like loose powders.

REU students working with the Savin Group would be based at Nevis Labs.