Research

Understanding the processes induced by electrons and ions on surfaces is a fascinating area of study within atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics. Astrophysical environments are immersed with high-energy electrons and ion radiation. For example, cosmic rays (MeV to GeV) and local stellar radiation are irradiating interstellar dust clouds; solar wind, low-energy (keV) electrons, and protons bombard solar system bodies; Jupiter’s and Saturn’s local magnetospheric trapped energetic particles such as H+, O+, S+ and He+ with keV to MeV energies are constantly bombarding on Jupiter and Saturn moons. Therefore, understanding the radiation processes on astrophysical dust ice, and planetary surfaces at extreme conditions is necessary. However, studying ion and electron-induced processes at particularly low temperatures presents unique challenges. These studies also aim to understand the origin of prebiotic species and their evolution from dense molecular clouds to planetary systems via protoplanetary disks. At APRIS lab, we investigate electron and ion radiation processes on astrophysical dust ice at 10 K to 150 K range, which will enhance our understanding of fundamental physics relevant to astrophysics and planetary science.

Electron radiation experiments using home build set up: 

We are building an experimental station for electron radiation on astrophysical and planetary ice at SINP. In this technique, keV energy electrons will modify and sputter the surface species and those will be detected by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Ion radiation experiments using SINP’s FRENA ion source: 

For the ion radiation experiments, we use SINP FRENA’s ion source with H+, O+, S+ and He+ ion with energy range from 500 keV to 1 MeV and electron current up to 5 micro-Ampere (μA). Sputtering and radiolysis experiments will be conducted on astrophysical and planetary analog dust and ices. 

Research at the APRIS Lab focuses on two types of analog samples: Astrophysical dust-ice analogs and Planetary ice analogs.