OSSEIRAN Nourreddin: Physico-chemical characterization of atmospheric pollutants - precursors of aerosols - by quantum chemistry calculations and microwave spectroscopy in a supersonic jet.
Thesis Abstract: The PhLAM Laboratory has an internationally recognized activity in high resolution molecular spectroscopy. The Spectroscopy and Applications team is using two Fourier transform microwave spectrometers at the state-of-the-art (very high resolution and sensitivity) - unique in France - to characterize the physico-chemical properties of astrophysical and atmospheric molecules. Within the Labex CaPPA and the CPER CLIMIBIO projects, the group is studying biogenic hydrocarbons, their oxidation products and the associated hydrates. These species are present in very weak concentration in the atmosphere but at the same time they are gas phase precursors of aerosols. As such they will have an impact on climate, in the Hauts-de-France region. The objective of this PhD is to understand a molecular scale physicochemical processes leading to aerosols training. In order to be able to use a state-of-the-art quantum physics it is necessary to record broadband spectra of high quality. To this end the group will implement a broadband chirped-pulse technique. Two complementary investigations will be considered. The first one is the development of the new spectrometer, with the new equipment. The second one is dedicated to the study of molecular complexes with water and sulfur. At first quantum chemistry calculations will be used to characterize the structure of the conformers and their relative energy. Then the theoretical predictions will be used in order to observe various complexes experimentally. At the end we are interested in a better knowledge of the hydrogen bonding associated with oxygen and sulfur atoms, of interest to explain aerosols training.
OSSEIRAN Noureddin - noureddin.osseirangmail.com
Thesis supervisor: HUET Thérèse
Co-supervisors: DREAN Pascal and GOUBET Manuel