Robert Wu

Research Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy

Research & Practice Areas

Molecular Spectroscopy

Education

  • Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, University of Illinois, 10/1973
  • M.S. Physical Chemistry, University of Illinois, 10/1970
  • Summary Statement of Research Interests

     

    Dr. Wu is a spectroscopist. His primary research interest is high resolution molecular spectroscopy from the extreme ultraviolet throughout the infrared region – especially as applied to small molecules of theoretical and astrophysical interest. Dr. Wu’s specific interests include the following: (1) studies of atomic and molecular spectroscopy, photodissociation mechanisms and dynamics involving transitions to superexcited states and multiply charged states; (2) temperature dependent (140-900 K) absolute photoabsorption cross section measurements of molecules and measurements of absolute fluorescence cross sections produced through photoexcitation, photodissociation, and photoionization of molecules; (3) application of laboratory cross section data to studies of planetary atmospheres including identification of atmospheric species and determination of their abundances and mixing ratios; (4) study of EUV-VUV photon-induced chemical reactions and sputtering processes in molecular ice systems and clathrate hydrates to the understanding of mass and chemical evolutions in a number of astronomical environments, e.g., comets at large heliocentric distances, asteroids, icy planetary satellites and rings, and in the interstellar medium; and (5) investigation of nonlinear laser spectroscopy of alkali metal vapors and generation of VUV laser frequency.

    Research Keywords

    Molecular Spectroscopy, Planetary Atmospheric Sciences, Ice Photochemistry,
    Extreme Ultraviolet and Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

    Research Specialties

    Molecular Spectroscopy

  • Contracts and Grants Awarded

    • Simulation Studies of EUV-VUV Photolysis of Cosmic Ice Analogs, (National Science Foundation), Wu, Chung-Yung R., $298,368, 07/01/2011 – 06/30/2014
    • EUV Photoexcitation and Emission of N2 at Low Temperatures, (National Science Foundation), Wu, Chung-Yung R., Judge, D. L., $317,291, 07/01/2009 – 06/30/2013
  • Conference Presentations

    • Photolysis of Pure CO Ices with a Tunable VUV Light Source , The American Geophysical Union 2011 Fall MeetingPoster, American Geophysical Union, Invited, San Francisco, CA, 12/05/2011 – 12/09/2011
    • Rotational-Resolved Fluorescence Spectrometry of N2 – The Effects of Predissociation and Temperature , The American Geophysical Union 2011 Fall MeetingPoster, American Geophysical Union, Invited, San Francisco, CA, 12/05/2011 – 12/09/2011
    • Effects of H2O on Nitriles Formation in Ice Mixtures Containing Nitrogen and Methane , AOGS-AGU (WPGM) Joint Assembly 2012Poster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society, Invited, Taipei, Taiwan, 08/08/2011 – 08/12/2011
    • Measurements of Branching Ratios for the b(1), b’(1), c4’(0) States of N2 , The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceanic Geophysics SocietyPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society, Invited, Taipei, Taiwan, 08/08/2011 – 08/12/2011
    • Quantum Chemical Calculation on the Potential Energy Surface of H2CO3 and its Implication for Martian Chemistry , The 8th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceanic Geophysics SocietyPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society, Invited, Taipei, Taiwan, 08/08/2011 – 08/12/2011
    • The N2 and NI Emissions in the VUV Region: A Low Temperature Study , The American Geophysical Union 2010 Fall MeetingPoster, The American Geophysical Union, Invited, San Francisco, CA, 12/13/2010 – 12/17/2010
    • High Resolution Fluorescence Spectrometry: The N2 and NI Emissions , The 42nd Meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS)Poster, American Astronomical Society, Invited, Pasadena, California, 10/03/2010 – 10/08/2010
    • High Resolution Fluorescence Spectrometry: The N2 Emissions , The 37th International Conference on Vacuum Ultraviolet and X-ray PhysicsPoster, International Conference on Vacuum Ultraviolet an, Invited, Vacouver, British Columbia, Canada, 07/11/2010 – 07/16/2010
    • Ice Photochemistry , The 7th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceanic Geophysics SocietyPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society, Invited, Hyderabad, India, 07/05/2010 – 07/09/2010
    • Unexpected Large Branching Ratio for the b(1) state of N2 , The 7th Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceanic Geophysics SocietyPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society, Invited, Hyderabad, India, 07/05/2010 – 07/09/2010
    • Photolysis of CO Ice: A Case Study of Initial Destruction and Formation Yields , The 2010 Western Pacific Geosciences MeetingTalk/Oral Presentation, American Geophysical Union, Invited, Taipei, Taiwan, 06/22/2010 – 06/25/2010
    • Total and Partial Desorption Yields Measurements of Relevant Cosmic Ices , The 2010 Western Pacific Geosciences Meeting Poster, American Geophysical Union, Invited, Taipei, Taiwan,, 06/22/2010 – 06/25/2010
    • A New Windowless Apparatus for Low-Temperature Absorption Cross-Section Measurements , The 41st Meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS)Poster, American Astronomical Society: NASA, Invited, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10/04/2009 – 10/09/2009
    • High-Resolution Fluorescence Spectrometry: A Study of the Coupled c4′(0) and b'(1) states of N2 , The 2009 Asia Oceania Geoscience SocietyTalk/Oral Presentation, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society; NSF, Invited, Singapore, 08/11/2009 – 08/15/2009
    • Initial Formation and Destruction Yields in Cosmic Ice Systems , The 2009 Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society 6th Annual MeetingPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society; NSF, Invited, Singapore, 08/11/2009 – 08/15/2009
    • N2+CH4+H2O Ice Mixture Irradiated by a Hydrogen Discharge Lamp , The 2009 Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society 6th Annual MeetingPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society; NSF, Invited, Singapore, 08/11/2009 – 08/15/2009
    • Performance of a New Windowless Low-Temperature Apparatus for Absorption Cross-Section Measurements , The 2009 Asia Oceania Geoscience SocietyPoster, Asia Oceanic Geophysics Society; NASA, Invited, Singapore, 08/11/2009 – 08/15/2009
    • Predissociation in the Coupled c4′(0) and b'(1) states of N2 , The American Geophysical Union 2008 Fall MeetingPoster, The American Geophysical Union: NSF, Invited, San Francisco, CA., 12/15/2008 – 12/19/2008
    • Rotationally Resolved Fluorescence Emissions from the Coupled c4′(0) and b'(1) states of N2 , The 40th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences Poster, American Astronomical Society, Invited, Ithaca, New York, 10/10/2008 – 10/15/2008
    • Photoabsorption Cross-Section Measurements of Atmospheric and Planetary Gases – A Temperature-Dependent Study , The AOGS2008 Fifth Annual MeetingPoster, Asian Oceanic Geoscience Society, Invited, Busan, Korea, 06/14/2008 – 06/20/2008
    • Photon-Induced N and N2 Fluorescence Processes Relevant to the Upper Atmosphere of Earth , The AOGS2008 Fifth Annual MeetingTalk/Oral Presentation, Asian Oceanic Geoscience Society, Invited, Busan, Korea, 06/14/2008 – 06/20/2008
    • Studies of Reflectance Spectra and Morphology of Photolyzed and Energetic Particle Irradiated Cosmic Ice Analogs , Organic Matter in Space Poster, The International Astronomical Union Symposium 251, Invited, Hong Kong, China, 02/18/2008 – 02/22/2008
    • Photolysis of Cosmic Ices and Proposed Reflectance Measurements , The American Geophysical Union 2007 Fall MeetingPoster, Invited, San Francisco, CA., 12/10/2007 – 12/14/2007
    • Predissociation Study of N2 in the 80-100 nm Region by Fluorescence Spectrometry , The American Geophysical Union 2007 Fall MeetingPoster, Invited, San Francisco, CA., 12/10/2007 – 12/14/2007
    • A VUV Photolysis Study of Pure CH4 and CO Ices , The 39th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical SocietyPoster, Invited, Orlando, Florida, 10/07/2007 – 10/12/2007
    • Infrared Study of Different Energy Photon Irradiation of H2O+N2+CH4 Ice Mixture , The AOGS2007 Fourth Annual MeetingPoster, Invited, Bangkok, Thailand, 07/30/2007 – 08/04/2007
    • Laboratory Simulation Study: Ice Photochemistry , The AOGS2007 Fourth Annual MeetingTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, Bangkok, Thailand,, 07/30/2007 – 08/04/2007
    • Measurements of Fluorescence Production Cross-Sections Relevant to Atmospheric Molecules , The AOGS2007 Fourth Annual MeetingTalk/Oral Presentation, Invited, Bangkok, Thailand, 07/30/2007 – 08/04/2007
    • Temperature-Dependent Photoabsorption Cross-Section Measurements of Atmospheric and Planetary Gases , The AOGS2007 Fourth Annual MeetingPoster, Invited, Bangkok, Thailand, 07/30/2007 – 08/04/2007
    • EUV-VUV Fluorescence Measurements – A Temperature Study , The 15th International Conference on Vacuum Ultraviolet Radiation PhysicsPoster, Invited, Konzerthaus Berlin, Germany, 07/29/2007 – 08/03/2007
    • Fluorescence Excitation Function Produced Through Photoexcitation of the b 1?u, cn’ 1?u+, and o3 1?u States of N2 in the 80-100 nm Region , The American Geophysical Union 2006 Fall Meeting, Poster, Invited, San Francisco, CA., 12/11/2006 – 12/15/2006
    • A EUV-VUV Photolysis of Several Cosmic Ice Systems , The 38th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical SocietyPoster, Invited, Pasadena, CA, 10/08/2006 – 10/13/2006
    • VUV Photolysis of CO Ices at 10 K – A Detailed Study Employing Different Light Sources , The 38th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical SocietyPoster, Invited, Pasadena, CA, 10/08/2006 – 10/13/2006
  • Book Chapters

    • Chen, Y., Chu, C., Lin, Y., Yih, T., Wu, C. R., Judge, D. (2011). VUV Photolysis of Pure CO Ices: A Study of Spectral Bandwidth Dependence. (Vol. 25) pp. 259-274. Advances in Geosciences.
    • Wu, C. R., Chen, F. Z., Judge, D. L., Cheng, B. M. (2010). VUV Absorption Properties of Gaseous and Solid C2H2: Relevance to Outer Planetary Atmospheres Research. Advances in Geosciences: Planetary Science (2008) (Vol. 19) pp. 427-443. Singapore: Adv. Geosciences.
    • Lo, J. I., Lin, Y. C., Wu, C. R., Fung, H. S., Yih, T. S., Judge, D. L. (2010). C2H2 Absorption Cross-Section Measurements at Extreme Low Temperature – A Windowless Technique. Advances in Geosciences: Planetary Science (2008) (Vol. 19) pp. 475-487. Singapore: Adv. Geosciences.
    • Lee, C., Fong, Y., Tsai, M., Lee, S., Wu, C. R., Ip, W. (2009). The Isotope Effect and the Luminescence Spectra of H2O and D2O Ices Induced by Hydrogen Ions Bombardment. (Vol. 15) pp. 181-196. Singapore: Advances in Geosciences.
    • Wu, C. R., Nguyen, T. B., Judge, D. L., Lu, H., Chen, H., Cheng, B. (2007). Destruction Yields of NH3 Producrd by EUV Photolysis of Various Mixed Cosmic Ice Analogs. (Vol. 7) pp. 101-114. Singapore: World Scientific Press.
    • Chen, Y., Nuevo, M., Yeh, F., Yih, T., Sun, W., Ip, W., Fung, H., Lee, Y., Wu, C. R. (2007). Infrared Study of UV/EUV Irradiation of Naphthalene in H2O+NH3 Ice. (Vol. 7) pp. 79-91. Singapore: World Scientific Press.

    Journal Article

    • Wu, Y., Wu, C. R., Chou, S., Lin, M., Lu, H., Lo, J., Cheng, B. (2012). Spectra and Photolysis of Pure Nitrogen and Methane Dispersed in Solid Nitogen with Vacuum-Ultraviolet Light. Astrophysical Journal. Vol. 746, pp. 175.
    • Wu, C. R., Judge, D. L., Tsai, M., Lin, Y., Yih, T., Lo, J., Fung, H., Lee, Y., Lewis, B. R., Heays, A. N., Gibson, S. T. (2012). Experimental Verification of Strong Rotational Dependence of Fluorescence and Predissociation Yield in the b (v=1) Level of N2. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 136, pp. 044301.
    • Wu, C. R., Lo, J., Lin, Y., Fung, H., Lee, Y., Yih, T., Judge, D. (2011). Rotationally Resolved Fluorescence Emissions From the Coupled c4′(0) and b'(1) States of N2. J. Electron. Spectrosc. Rel. Phenom.. Vol. 184, pp. 149-153.
    • Wu, Y., Wu, C. R., Liang, M. (2011). Quantum Chemical Calculation on the Potential Energy Surface of H2CO3 and it Implication for Martian Chemistry. Icarus. Vol. 214, pp. 228-235.
    • Chen, Y., Nuevo, M., Fan, Y., Yih, T., Ip, W., Fung, H., Wu, C. R. (2011). Photodesorbed Species Produced by the UV-EUV Irradiation of an H2O:CO2:NH3 Ice Mixture. Advanced in Space Research. Vol. 39, pp. 1633-1644.
    • Chen, Y., Nuevo, M., Yih, T., Ip, W., Fung, H., Cheng, C., Tsai, H., Wu, C. R. (2008). Amino Acids Produced from thee UV/EUV Irradiation of Naphthalene in a H2O+NH3 Ice. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. 384, pp. 605-610.
    • Wu, C. R., Fung, H., Chang, K., Judge, D. L. (2008). EUV Resonance Fluorescence of the c4′-X (0,v”) and b’-X (1,v”) Transitions of N2. Planetary and Space Science. Vol. 56, pp. 1715-1732.
    • Bhardwaj, A., Hartogh, P., Kasaba, Y., Wu, C. R. (2008). Preface – Advances in Planetary Sciences: AOGS 2007 (based on the Fourth Annual Meeting of the AOGS, Bangkok, Thailand). Planetary and Space Science. Vol. 56, pp. 1675.
    • Chen, Y., Nuevo, M., Sheh, J., Yih, T., Lee, C., Sun, W., Ip, W., Fung, H., Chiang, S., Chen, J., Wu, C. R. (2007). Infrared and Mass Spectrometry Studies of Carbamic Acid Produced by the EUV Irradiation of Interstellar Ice Analogs. Astronomy & Astrophysics. Vol. 464, pp. 253-257.
    • Wu, C. R., Fung, H., Chang, K., Singh, T. S., Mu, X., Nee, J. B., Chiang, S., Judge, D. L. (2007). Fluorescence Excitation Functions of the b 1?u, b’ 1?u+, cn 1?u, and cn’ 1?u+ States of N2 in the 80-100 nm Region. Journal of Chemical Physics. Vol. 127 (DOI: 10.1063/1.2768923), pp. 084314.
    • Nuevo, M., Chen, Y., Yih, T., Ip, W., Fung, H., Cheng, C., Tsai, H., Wu, C. R. (2007). Amino Acids Formed from the UV/EUV Irradiation of Inorganic Ices of Astrophysical Interest. Advances in Space Research. Vol. 40, pp. 1628-1633.
    • Wu, C. R., Judge, D. L., Matsui, T. (2006). Measurements of Rovibronic Line Oscillator Strengths of N2 in the 83.4 nm Region: A High-Resolution High-Temperature Study. Journal of Geophysical Research/American Geophysical Union. Vol. vol. 111, pp. A05301.
    • Wu, C. R., Judge, D. L., Matsui, T. (2005). High-Temperature Ultrahigh-Resolution Absorption Cross Section Measurements of O2 in the EUV Region. Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and RElated Phenomena/Elsevier. Vol. vol. 144-147, pp. pp. 123-126.
    • Wu, C. R., Chen, F. Z., Judge, D. L. (2004). Temperature Dependent Photoabsorption Cross Sections in the VUV-UV Region. Ethylene. Journal of Geophysical Research/American Geophysical Union. Vol. Vol. 109 (E7), pp. pp. E07S15 (2004). 10.1029/2003JE00.
    • Lee, C. S., Liu, Y. C., Chen, Y. H., Wu, C. R., Ip, W. H., Yih, T. S., Lee, S. (2004). Mass analysis of sputtered particles induced by Ar bombardment of two iced targets, H2O and CO2. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B/Elsevier. Vol. Vol. 219-220, pp. p. 323-326.
    • Wu, C. R., Chen, F. Z. (2004). Temperature Dependent Photoabsorption Cross Sections in the VUV-UV Region. I. Methane and Ethane. Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer/Elsevier. Vol. Vol. 85, pp. pp. 195-209.

    Research Report

    • Chen, Y., Lin, Y. C., Nuevo, M., Yih, T., Ip, W. H., Fung, H., Chiang, S., Lee, Y., Chen, J., Cheng, C., Wu, C. R. (2008). Amino Acids Formed from EUV Irradiation of Naphthalene Containing Interstellar Ice Analogues. NSRRC Research Highlight.
    • Wu, C. R., Cheng, B. M. (2004). EUV Photolysis of Ice Analogs of Astronomical Interests. NSRRC Research Highlight.

    Proceedings

    • Wu, C. R., Judge, D. L., Cheng, B. (2006). EUV-VUV Photolysis of Molecular Ice Systems of Astronomical Interest. NASA/CP-2006-214549. pp. 283-287. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. NASA & University of Nevada.
    • Wu, C. R., Judge, D. L., Cheng, B. M. (2004). Extreme Ultraviolet Photon-Induced Chemical Reactions in Ice Analogs. Honolulu, Hawaii.
    • UV/Vis Spectra Data Base, UV/Vis Spectra Data Base
      www:uv-spectra.de
      A. Noelle, G. K. Hartmann, D. Lary, W.-U. Palm, A.-C. Vandaele, R. P. Wayne, C.-Y. R. Wu
      Science-softCon, 2005, 4th Edition (2005). , 2004 – 2005
    • UV/Vis Spectra Data Base, UV/Vis Spectra Data Base www:uv-spectra.de
      A. Noelle, G. K. Hartmann, D. Lary, S. Le Calve, S. Trick, A. C. Vandaele, R. P. Wayne, C. Y. R. Wu
      Science-softCon, 2007, 5th Edition (2007). , 2006 – 2007
    • UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base, UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base (UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database), Science-softCon, Germany. (www:uv-spectra.de)
      A. Noelle, G. K. Hartmann, A. Fahr, D. Lary, S. Le Calve, J. J. Orlando, A. C. Vandaele, R. P. Wayne, C.-Y. R. Wu
      Science-softCon, 2008, 6th Edition (2008). , 2007 – 2008
    • UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database, UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base (UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database), Science-softCon, Germany. (www:uv-spectra.de)
      A. Noelle, G. K. Hartmann, A. Fahr, F. J. Martin-Torres, D. Lary, S. Le Calve, P. Limao-Vieira, J. J. Orlando, F. Salama, A. C. Vandaele, R. P. Wayne, C. Y. R. Wu, and J. Orphal
      Science-softCon, 2010, 7th Edition (2010).
      , 2010-2011
    • UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database, UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base (UV/Vis+ Photochemistry Database), Science-softCon, Germany. (www:uv-spectra.de)
      A. Noelle, G. K. Hartmann, A. Fahr, F. J. Martin-Torres, D. Lary, S. Le Calve, P. Limao-Vieira, J. J. Orlando, F. Salama, A. C. Vandaele, R. P. Wayne, C. Y. R. Wu, and J. Orphal
      Science-softCon, 2011, 8th Edition (2011).
      , 2011-2012
  • Conferences Organized

    • Co-Convener, Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Taipei, Taiwan, 2010-2011
    • Co-Convener, The AOGS2009 Seventh Annual Meeting, Hyderabad, India, 2009-2010
    • Co-Convener, AOGS2009, Singapore, 2008 – 2009
    • Main Convener, AOGS2008, Busan. Korea, 2007-2008
    • Main Convener, AOGS2007, Bangkok, Thailand, 2006-2007

    Editorships and Editorial Boards

    • Associate Editor, Adavnces in Geosciences, Volume 19: Planetary Science (PS), 2009-2010
    • Associate Editor, Advances in Geosciences, Volume 15: Planetary Science (PS), 2007-2008
    • Guest Editor, Planetary and Space Science, Volume 56, Issue 13, 2007-2008
    • Associate Editor, Adavnces in Geosciences, Volume 7: Planetary Science (PS), 2006-2007

    Professional Offices

    • Secretary for the Planetary Science Division, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society, 2008-2009
    • Secretary for the Planetary Science Division, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society, 2007-2008
    • Secretary for the Planetary Science Division, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society, 2006-2007

    Professional Memberships

    • American Astronomical Society – Division of Planetary Sciences, 2012-2013
    • American Geophysical Union, 2012-2013
    • Asia Oceania Geosciences Society, 2012-2013

    Review Panels

    • NASA, NASA PATM Panel, 09/11/2007 – 09/13/2007
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