TY - JOUR
T1 - Broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy
T2 - A new approach to search for DIB carriers
AU - Walsh, A. J.
AU - Zhao, D.
AU - Ubachs, W.
AU - Linnartz, H.
PY - 2014/2
Y1 - 2014/2
N2 - A new and sensitive set-up to swiftly test proposed carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), over a relatively broad spectral range, is described. The instrument utilizes broad-band cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS) and incorporates an optomechanical shutter to modulate light from a continuous incoherent light source. A pulsed supersonically expanding planar plasma expansion is used to mimic conditions in translucent interstellar clouds. Measurements of plasma durations as low as 400 μs are possible. The sensitivity is estimated to be better than 10 ppm/pass, measured with an effective exposure time of only ca. 1 s. The performance and potential of the instrument is demonstrated on spectra of C5H, C6H and C9H3 recorded through expanding hydrocarbon plasma.
AB - A new and sensitive set-up to swiftly test proposed carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), over a relatively broad spectral range, is described. The instrument utilizes broad-band cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS) and incorporates an optomechanical shutter to modulate light from a continuous incoherent light source. A pulsed supersonically expanding planar plasma expansion is used to mimic conditions in translucent interstellar clouds. Measurements of plasma durations as low as 400 μs are possible. The sensitivity is estimated to be better than 10 ppm/pass, measured with an effective exposure time of only ca. 1 s. The performance and potential of the instrument is demonstrated on spectra of C5H, C6H and C9H3 recorded through expanding hydrocarbon plasma.
KW - Laboratory astrophysics
KW - spectroscopy
KW - supersonic plasma jet
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84894648523&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1017/S1743921313015998
DO - 10.1017/S1743921313015998
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84894648523
SN - 1743-9213
VL - 9
SP - 281
EP - 285
JO - Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
JF - Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
IS - S297
ER -