Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We report the first rotationally resolved spectrum of a single polyatomic molecular ion in the gas phase. Building upon the recently developed inelastic recoil spectroscopy technique, we have increased spectral resolution by a factor ∼10 000; sufficient to observe resolved rotational-vibrational transitions of a single, trapped cyclopropenyl cation (c-C_{3}H_{3}^{+}). The precision and sensitivity of IRS shown in this work presents an attractive platform for astrochemistry, single molecule chiral detection, and tests of fundamental physics.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Authors: Aaron Calvin, Samuel Kresch, Merrell Brzeczek, Elijah Lane, Lincoln Satterthwaite, Desi Hawkins, David Patterson
Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara
Language: English
Subfield: Spectroscopy
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409570712