Interactions of protons with furan molecules studied by collision-induced emission spectroscopy at the incident energy range of 50–1000 eV

Abstract

Abstract.Investigations of the ion-molecule reactions provide insight into many fields ranging from the stellar wind interaction with interstellar media, up to medicine and industrial applications. Besides the applications, the understanding of these processes is itself a problem of fundamental importance. Thus, interactions of protons with the gas-phase furan molecules have been investigated for the first time in the energy range of 50-1000 eV exploiting collision-induced emission spectroscopy. Recorded spectra reveal emission of the atomic H β to H θ lines of the hydrogen Balmer series and the molecular bands of vibrationally and rotationally excited diatomic CH fragments created in the A 2 Δ and B 2 Σ − electronic states. The measurements of the emission yields of the excited fragments by recording their intensities at different projectile energies have been performed. The highest yields have been observed for production of hydrogen atoms which intensities rapidly decreased with increasing principal quantum number n. From the H (n = 4-7) intensity ratios depopulation factors of hydrogen excited states have been determined at each impact energy and possible collisional mechanisms leading to enhanced production of the hydrogen atoms have been suggested. We compare and discuss our results with improved data set of proton collisions with tetrahydrofuran (THF) molecules, the hydrogenated derivatives of furan.

Low-energy interactions related to atmospheric and extreme conditions

“…LEIs with furan, a simpler analogue of tetrahydrofuran, also were reported in one of the contributed articles by Wasowicz et al [8]. However, the authors used a proton beam as an incident projectile, in contrast to the aforementioned electron-collision studies, marking the first report on the investigation of protoninduced dissociation of furan by measuring the photon emission spectra of the excited fragments [8]. Notably, the emission intensities recorded at different proton energies showed the highest yield for a hydrogen atom, which decreased as a function of the principal quantum number of the excited H atoms.…”

“…The results correlated well with data available in the extant literature; therefore, the authors will use the proposed calculation method for other complex biomolecules in the future. LEIs with furan, a simpler analogue of tetrahydrofuran, also were reported in one of the contributed articles by Wasowicz et al [8]. However, the authors used a proton beam as an incident projectile, in contrast to the aforementioned electron-collision studies, marking the first report on the investigation of protoninduced dissociation of furan by measuring the photon emission spectra of the excited fragments [8].…”

“…-low-energy interactions of charged particles (electrons [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], protons [8], positrons [9]), and photons [10] with atoms and molecules of biological [1][2][3][4]7,8], astrochemical [10], industrial, and environmental [5,6,9] interest; -molecular evolution of astrochemical ices [11][12][13]; -planetary atmospheric physics [14]; -atmospheric pressure photoionization and fragmentation of organic and inorganic aerosols [15]; -processes and applications of atmospheric pressure plasmas in astrochemical [16,17] and biomedical fields [17,18].…”

“…Notably, the emission intensities recorded at different proton energies showed the highest yield for a hydrogen atom, which decreased as a function of the principal quantum number of the excited H atoms. These experimental data also were compared to the emission spectra data obtained from collisions of proton, oxygen, and carbon cations with tetrahydrofuran [8]. Based on these data, the authors suggested possible mechanisms for the enhanced hydrogen production [8].…”

“…These experimental data also were compared to the emission spectra data obtained from collisions of proton, oxygen, and carbon cations with tetrahydrofuran [8]. Based on these data, the authors suggested possible mechanisms for the enhanced hydrogen production [8].…”