We developed an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber equipped with a closed-cycle cryostat, which can cool down ice or ice/dust mixtures to temperatures of less than 10 K. Energetic photons or reactive atoms can trigger reactions between molecular components in the ice or between the ice and the dust surface. Chemical reactions are monitored by in situ IR spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption in combination with mass spectrometry.
- Closed-cycle He cryocooler (ARS DE-204SB)
- Gas inlet system for the deposition of molecular ices
- Quadrupole mass spectrometer (Hositrad)
- Sources for VUV photons (hydrogen-discharge and a deuterium lamp)
- FTIR spectrometer (Bruker, Vertex 80v) equipped with an external MCT detectetor