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FELIX Infrared and THz Spectroscopy

Our group develops and uses mass spectrometric techniques in combination with advanced infrared and terahertz spectroscopy. Our main scientific focus is in the field of laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry.

Our research

We aim to understand the chemical evolution in astrophysical environments, such as interstellar star-forming regions or (exo-) planetary atmospheres, by simulating their conditions in the laboratory. For this we apply infrared spectroscopy to obtain vibrational fingerprints of molecules to aid their identification in space.

The spectroscopic information allows us to identify molecular structures within isomeric mixtures, and thus to unravel and to understand astrochemical reaction kinetics and networks, both in the gas-phase or in ices.

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Our publications

Action infrared spectroscopy of H2COH+ and H2COD+: Experimental and theoretical aspects

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Author(s) Denis Comte, Hunarpreet Kaur, Dennis F. Dinu, Silvia Alessandrini, Luca Bizzocchi, Klaus R. Liedl, Oskar Asvany, Sven Thorwirth, Stephan Schlemmer, Cristina Puzzarini, Sandra Brünken, Mattia Melosso
Year 2026
Journal Chemical Physics Letters, Volume 889
Full paper: Action infrared spectroscopy of H2COH+ and H2COD+: Experimental and theoretical aspects

IR-Action Spectroscopy of the Astrochemically Relevant HCCS+ Cation

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Author(s) Matteo Michielan, Kim Steenbakkers, Daniela Ascenzi, Jake A. Diprose, Miroslav Polášek, Sandra Brünken, Claire Romanzin, Brianna R. Heazlewood, Cristina Puzzarini, Vincent Richardson
Year 2026
Journal ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, Vol 10/Issue 1
View full paper: IR-Action Spectroscopy of the Astrochemically Relevant HCCS+ Cation

Broadband Vibrational Spectroscopy of Protonated and Radical Cationic Forms of Interstellar Formamide, HCONH2 H+ and HCONH2+

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Author(s) Hunarpreet Kaur, Sara Petrić, Marius Gerlach, Britta Redlich, Sandra Brünken
Year 2025
Journal The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol 130/Issue 2
View full paper: Broadband Vibrational Spectroscopy of Protonated and Radical Cationic Forms of Interstellar Formamide, [HCONH2]H+ and [HCONH2]+

Acetaldehyde as CH2+• Acceptor: Characterization of an Ionic Adduct Possibly Playing a Role in the Astronomical Environment

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Author(s) Davide Corinti, Daniël B. Rap, Sandra Brünken, Marius Gerlach, Barbara Chiavarino, Simonetta Fornarini, Paul Mayer, Maria Elisa Crestoni
Year 2025
Journal ACS Physical Chemistry Au, Vol 6/Issue 1
View full paper: Acetaldehyde as CH2+• Acceptor: Characterization of an Ionic Adduct Possibly Playing a Role in the Astronomical Environment

Group members