Bridging the gap between laboratory astrophysics and quantum chemistry: The concept of potential energy surfaces

Abstract

AbstractAn exotic molecular inventory exists in space. While some species have well-known terrestrial analogs, others are very reactive and can hardly survive in the laboratory timely to allow for their characterization. With an eye toward these latter, we highlight in this contribution the role of quantum chemistry in providing astrochemically relevant data where experiment struggles. Special attention is given to the concept of molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs), a key aspect in theoretical chemical physics, and the possible dynamical attributes taken therefrom. As case studies, we outline our current efforts in obtaining global PESs of carbon clusters. It is thus hoped that, with such an active synergy between theoretical chemistry and state-of-the-art experimental/observational techniques (the pillars to the modern laboratory astrophysics), scientists may gather the required knowledge to explain the origins, abundances and the driving force toward molecular complexity in the Universe.