Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Petr Dohnal, Ph.D.
Group of Plasma Physics and Numerical Simulations
The dissertation focuses on the study of reactions of simple astrophysically interesting ions with electrons and molecules under conditions close to those prevailing in interstellar space. The apparatus combining microwave diagnostics of plasma with highly sensitive CRDS spectroscopy will be used to study ion-electron recombination. The dissertation will also include the study of reactions of ions with neutral particles in the range of 10 – 300 K using an ion trap. The internal state of ions in the trap can be monitored by action spectroscopy methods such as LIR (Laser Induced Reaction technique).
Collisions of electrons and ions with neutral and charged particles at low interaction energies play a key role in low-temperature plasma in interstellar medium, in laser plasma, but also in plasma used in various technological applications. Recombination of ions with electrons and reactions of ions with molecules are among the fundamental processes and are therefore studied both experimentally and theoretically. The study of these reactions at low temperatures is of particular importance. Under such conditions, the internal excitation of reactants can have a significant effect on the course of the reaction.
The main motivation is the impact of the expected results on astrophysics and the fundamental nature of the interaction of ions with electrons and molecules.
Our department cooperates with foreign laboratories to solve the above-mentioned problem. The project is supported by grants from the GACR and GAUK.
