Facilities for experimentally modelling radiation and thermal effects on astrophysical relevant materials.

Chambers for irradiating astrophysical ice analogues

Two chambers, ICA and AQUILA are part of the Europlanet Research Infrastructure. During the Europlanet 2024 RI project (2020-2024), they provided many transnational access (TA) measurements, extending the capabilities of the ATOMKI Accelerator Centre in the field of laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry. Both of them were designed to systematically investigate the effect of ion and electron irradiation of interstellar and Solar System ice analogues under UHV vacuum conditions. One of the main goals is to better understand the origin and evolution of the building blocks of life.

ICA – Ice Chamber for Astrophysics/Astrochemistry

The ICA Chamber is a facility for studying the effects of ion irradiation mimicking the galactic cosmic rays and the high energy tail of the solar wind. Ions of different species and charge states from H⁺ to multiply charged heavy ions (e.g., S⁶⁺) are produced by the 2MV Tandetron accelerator. The ion energy range is 0.2-4MeV for single charged ions, and can go to 10-15MeV for higher charge states. Electrons of 0.5-2keV energy are also available for irradiation. The ice composition at cryogenic temperatures (≥20K), and the physico-chemical changes induced upon irradiation are monitored by infrared spectroscopy. Temperature programed desorption studies may also be performed on both non-irradiated and irradiated ices. The goal is to systematically study space relevant ices under different ion-impact irradiation.

Related link: https://spacechem.atomki.hu/