Unveiling exoplanetary atmospheres through the Eye of SMAUG. – (Eszter Dudas / LCAR / Seminar). – 17/04/2025, 11H

Séminaire LCAR

Eszter Dudas (LCAR)

Abstract:
How can we decipher the chemical composition and structure of exoplanetary atmospheres from a laboratory on Earth?
Understanding these distant worlds is one of the greatest challenges in modern astrophysics. The SMAUG experimental system has been developed to provide unprecedented high-temperature infrared spectroscopic reference data that will enhance the detection of new molecules and refine atmospheric models of Hot Jupiters and other exoplanets. Using a specially designed Laval nozzle and high-enthalpy source coupled with cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS), SMAUG produces high-resolution spectra of polyatomic molecules under extreme conditions.
By operating in both hypersonic jet and post-shock regimes, we obtain unique insights into non-LTE and LTE spectral signatures, crucial for improving theoretical models and synthetic spectra