Planetary Chemistry and Astrochemistry

The process of Martian water loss is outlined above. Water is photolyzed, chemically transformed to long-lived H2, then transported to the top of the atmosphere, after which it can escape. While the chemistry underpinning the transformation of water to H2 is thought to be well understood, the effect of isotopic substitution on reaction rates is poorly characterized, or in many cases, entirely unstudied!

In the Okumura group, we are working on characterizing the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of various HOx reactions in the Martian atmosphere, using both quantum chemical/in silico methods and direct experimental measurement.

Future interests include study of reactions relevant to other planetary atmospheres and the application of spectroscopic techniques for the search for life in our solar system.