Spectroscopy with supersonic jets

Abstract

Supersonic jet spectroscopy presents a way of studying extremely cold gas phase molecules without cryogenic apparatus. The spectra of cold molecules are generally easier to interpret than those of the same molecules at room temperature, thus facilitating the determination of molecular structure. Cooling also makes it possible to study weakly bound species such as van der Waals complexes. In addition, this technique is an interesting example of applications of gas kinetic theory. The paper discusses both the theory of supersonic jets and a typical experimental example.