Electron irradiation and thermal chemistry studies of interstellar and planetary ice analogues at the ICA astrochemistry facility

Abstract The modelling of molecular excitation and dissociation processes relevant to astrochemistry requires the validation theories by comparison with data generated from laboratory experimentation. newly commissioned Ice Chamber for Astrophysics-Astrochemistry (ICA) allows study astrophysical ice analogues their evolution when subjected energetic processing, thus simulating alterations interstellar icy grain mantles outer Solar System bodies undergo. ICA is an ultra-high vacuum compatible chamber containing a series IR-transparent substrates upon which may be deposited at temperatures down 20 K. Processing ices performed in one three ways: (i) ion impacts projectiles delivered 2 MV Tandetron-type accelerator, (ii) electron irradiation gun fitted directly chamber, (iii) thermal processing across temperature range 20–300 physico-chemical studied situ using FTIR absorbance spectroscopy quadrupole mass spectrometry. In this paper, we present overview facility focus on characterising beams used impact studies, as well reporting preliminary results obtained during selected ices. Graphic