Frank J. Lovas

Research interests:

The measurement and assignment of radio frequency, microwave and infra-red spectra of low to high temperature species.

Research objectives:

Molecular structure studies of transient species, and van der Waals or hydrogen-bonded complexes and studies of isolated molecules of particular interest to radioastronomy in interstellar and circumstellar clouds. Primary spectroscopic instruments employed are Fourier transform microwave spectrometers using supersonic nozzles and electric discharges.

Awards:

Gold Medal Award, Department of Commerce, 1977.

George van Biesbroeck Prize from the American Astronomical Society, 1998.

Current research interest:

• Detection and identification of interstellar molecules
• Developing molecular spectra reference data:
  
• • Molecular spectral databases
  • Frequencies for observed interstellar molecular microwave transitions
• Microwave laboratory studies of interstellar interest in conjunction with the Center for the Chemisty of the Universe at the University of Virgina