Understand and control the molecule that created the universe

Trihydrogen or H₃⁺, is recognized by scientists as the molecule that created the universe. In the latest issues of Nature Communications and the Journal of Physical Chemistry, Michigan State University researchers used high-speed lasers to shine the spotlight on mechanisms₃⁺ creation and its unusual chemistry.

H₃⁺ is widespread in the universe, the Milky Way, the gaseous giants and the terrestrial ionosphere. He is also created and studied in the laboratory of Marcos Dantus, distinguished professor in chemistry and physics at the University. Using ultra-fast lasers and technology invented by Dantus, a team of scientists begins to understand the chemistry of this iconic molecule.

"Observing how H roaming₂ molecules evolve in H₃⁺ Dantus said, "We first documented this process using methanol; Now we have been able to extend and duplicate this process in a number of molecules and have identified a number of new pathways. "

Astrochemists see the big picture by observing H₃⁺ and defining it in an interstellar perspective. Its creation is so fast – in less time than a bullet to cross an atom – that it is extremely difficult to understand how three chemical bonds are broken and three new ones are formed in such a short period of time.

It is then that chemists using femtosecond lasers come into play. Rather than studying the stars with the help of a telescope, the Dantus team literally looks at the small picture. The entire procedure is visualized at the molecular level and is measured in femtoseconds, one millionth of a billionth of a second. The process seen by the team takes between 100 and 240 femtoseconds. Dantus knows this because the clock goes off when it triggers the first laser pulse. The laser pulse "sees" what happens.

The two laser technique revealed the transfer of hydrogen, as well as the homogenous hydrogen chemistry, responsible for the H & H₃⁺ training. The roaming mechanisms briefly generate a neutral molecule (H₂) that stays nearby and extracts a third molecule of hydrogen to form H₃⁺. And it turns out that this can happen in many ways. In an experiment involving ethanol, the team revealed six potential routes, confirming four of them.

Since laser pulses are comparable to sound waves, the Dantus team discovered a "tuning" that improves₃⁺ training and discourages training. When converting these "shaped" impulses into a sliding whistle, formation occurs when the note begins to flat, rises slightly and ends with a deeper and more downward dive. The song is a music for the ears of chemists who can consider many potential applications for this breakthrough.

"These chemical reactions are the building blocks of life in the universe," said Dantus. "The predominance of errant hydrogen molecules in high energy chemical reactions involving organic molecules and organic ions is relevant not only to laser irradiated materials, but also to materials and tissues irradiated with X-rays, high energy electrons, positrons, etc. "

This study reveals a relevant chemistry in terms of water formation and organic molecules in the universe. The secrets she could reveal, from asthrochemistry to medical, are endless, he added.

Explore further:
Train the ion that made the universe

More information:
Nagitha Ekanayake et al. Homogeneous H2 chemistry and the formation of H3 + from organic molecules in powerful laser fields, Nature Communications (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41467-018-07577-0

Matthew J. Michie et al. Quantum coherent control of H3 + formation in strong fields, The journal of chemical physics (2019). DOI: 10.1063 / 1.5070067