Vacuum Ultraviolet Laser Probe of Chemical Dynamics of Aerospace Relevance

A primary goal of this research program is to provide pertinent information about the energetics, photochemistry, and chemical dynamics of spacecraft effluents, including H2O, NH3, hydrazine N2H4, monomethylhydrazine, and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine. By using the unique VUV laser facilities developed in our laboratory, we plan to perform high-resolution photodissociation, photoionization, and photoelectron studies of these molecules, and to examine their chemical interactions with major atmospheric ions, aiming to identify possible sources of optical emission signatures that can be used for reliable tracking and detection of spacecraft maneuvers and rocket launches.