Les radicaux OH et HO2 jouent un rôle essentiel dans beaucoup de processus d’oxydationdans l’atmosphère. La dégradation des composés organiques volatils dans les conditionstroposphériques est généralement initiée par la réaction avec les radicaux OH, suivie par la réactiondes produits d’oxydation avec l’oxygène. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, des études ont été menéesafin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes d’oxydation d’espèces d’intérêt atmosphérique. Pour cela,un système expérimental de photolyse laser couplée à des techniques spectroscopiques de détectionrésolues dans le temps : Continuous Wave Cavity ring-down Spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) pour HO2,Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) pour OH et spectroscopy UV pour l’adduit Hexamethylbenzene-OH(HMB-OH) ont été utilisés. Différents systèmes chimiques ont été étudiés en utilisant ce dispositif expérimental : 1) laréaction d’HO2 avec CH2O, 2) la photolyse à 248 nm de l’acétaldéhyde et 3) la dégradation de HMBinitiée par OH. Les techniques de cw-CRDS et d’absorption UV ont été utilisées respectivement pourmesurer les sections efficaces de CH2O et de l’adduit HMB-OH. / OH and HO2 radicals play a vital role in many oxidation processes in the atmosphere. Thedegradation of volatile organic compounds under tropospheric conditions is induced by reaction withhydroxyl radicals followed by the subsequent chemistry of the initial OH oxidation products with O2.This thesis deals with the kinetic study of some of these atmospherically relevant reactions to betterunderstand their oxidation mechanisms using experimental techniques such as laser photolysiscoupled to detection by Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF, for OH), continuous wave- Cavity RingdownSpectroscopy (cw-CRDS, for HO2) and time resolved UV spectroscopy (UV, forHexamethylbenzene-OH adduct). Different chemical systems have been studied using the above techniques: 1) the reaction ofHO2 radicals with formaldehyde, 2) the 248 nm photolysis of acetaldehyde and 3) the OH initiatedoxidation of Hexamethyl benzene. In addition to this, the spectroscopic application of cw-CRDStechnique and UV spectroscopy has been used for the measurement of absorption cross section ofselected absorption lines of formaldehyde in the near infrared region and Hexamethylbenzene-OHadduct in the UV region respectively.

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma variação da técnica de espectroscopia por cavidade ressonante tipo ring-down CRDS (do acrônimo em inglês Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) para a obtenção simultânea do espectro de absorção de multicomponentes numa faixa espectral larga do visível. Esta nova técnica se resume no uso do espectro supercontinuum (resultante da irradiação de meios não lineares através de lasers de femtossegundo, ou simplesmente gerada por fontes compactas) como fonte de luz para iluminar a cavidade. Neste contexto são descritas as características dos módulos para a montagem de um MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): os pares de espelhos altamente refletivos, a cavidade ressonante e o sistema de detecção. Alguns problemas relacionados à excitação de multimodos, à luz difusa, ao uso efetivo do intervalo dinâmico de detecção, à baixa resolução do instrumento em resolver linhas estreitas de absorção são situados. Apresentamos os espectros de absorção de H2O (políades 4nu, 4nu + delta ) e O2 (transições proibidas de spin b-X) simultaneamente medidos por essa técnica na faixa do visível, e uma comparação com as linhas de absorção baseadas do banco de dados HITRAN é feita para demonstrar a funcionalidade deste método. / In this work, we present a variation of the technique CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) to obtain simultaneously a multicomponent absorption spectrum in a broad visible range. This new approach uses the Supercontinuum (SC) spectrum (resulting from irradiation of nonlinear media by femtosecond lasers, or simply generated by compact sources) as a light source to illuminate the cavity. In this context it is described the features of the modules assembling a MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): a set of high refletivity mirrors, the resonant cavity and the detection system. Some problems related to the multimode excitation, stray light, effective use of the dynamic range of the detector, the poor resolution of the instrument to resolve narrow absorption lines are issued. We present the absorption spectra of H2O (polyads 4nu, 4nu + delta ) and O2 (spin-forbidden b-X branch) measured simultaneously by this technique in the visible range and a comparison with the absorption lines based on HITRAN database is made to demonstrate the functionality of this method.

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma variação da técnica de espectroscopia por cavidade ressonante tipo ring-down CRDS (do acrônimo em inglês Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) para a obtenção simultânea do espectro de absorção de multicomponentes numa faixa espectral larga do visível. Esta nova técnica se resume no uso do espectro supercontinuum (resultante da irradiação de meios não lineares através de lasers de femtossegundo, ou simplesmente gerada por fontes compactas) como fonte de luz para iluminar a cavidade. Neste contexto são descritas as características dos módulos para a montagem de um MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): os pares de espelhos altamente refletivos, a cavidade ressonante e o sistema de detecção. Alguns problemas relacionados à excitação de multimodos, à luz difusa, ao uso efetivo do intervalo dinâmico de detecção, à baixa resolução do instrumento em resolver linhas estreitas de absorção são situados. Apresentamos os espectros de absorção de H2O (políades 4nu, 4nu + delta ) e O2 (transições proibidas de spin b-X) simultaneamente medidos por essa técnica na faixa do visível, e uma comparação com as linhas de absorção baseadas do banco de dados HITRAN é feita para demonstrar a funcionalidade deste método. / In this work, we present a variation of the technique CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) to obtain simultaneously a multicomponent absorption spectrum in a broad visible range. This new approach uses the Supercontinuum (SC) spectrum (resulting from irradiation of nonlinear media by femtosecond lasers, or simply generated by compact sources) as a light source to illuminate the cavity. In this context it is described the features of the modules assembling a MC-SC-CRDS (Multicomponent Supercontinuum Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy): a set of high refletivity mirrors, the resonant cavity and the detection system. Some problems related to the multimode excitation, stray light, effective use of the dynamic range of the detector, the poor resolution of the instrument to resolve narrow absorption lines are issued. We present the absorption spectra of H2O (polyads 4nu, 4nu + delta ) and O2 (spin-forbidden b-X branch) measured simultaneously by this technique in the visible range and a comparison with the absorption lines based on HITRAN database is made to demonstrate the functionality of this method.

Les radicaux OH et HO2 jouent un rôle essentiel dans beaucoup de processus d'oxydation dans l'atmosphère. La dégradation d’espèces chimiques dans les conditions troposphériques est généralement initiée par la réaction avec les radicaux OH, suivie par la réaction avec l'oxygène. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, deux techniques optiques de détection d’OH et HO2 ont été appliquée à des études cinétiques et spectroscopiques. Pour cela, nous utilisons un système expérimental de photolyse laser couplée à des techniques de détection par continuous wave Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (cw-CRDS, pour HO2) et Fluorescence Induite par Laser (FIL, pour OH). Ce couplage permet de mesurer les cinétiques des radicaux OH et HO2 simultanément, résolues dans le temps pour l’étude des mécanismes réactionnels. Différents systèmes chimiques ont été étudiés en utilisant ce dispositif expérimental: 1) les cinétiques de la réaction d'OH avec CH3OH et CD3OD, 2) le rendement de HO2 dans l’oxydation de SO2 initiée par OH et 3) la formation des radicaux HO2 par photoexcitation (à 248 nm) de différents hydrocarbures aromatiques (benzène, toluène, xylene et triméthyl benzène) en présence d’oxygène. Des applications spectroscopiques de la cw-CRDS pour mesurer les sections efficaces de H2O2, HONO, HO2 et DO2 dans le proche Infrarouge ont également été réalisées. / OH and HO2 radicals play a vital role in many oxidation processes in the atmosphere. The degradation of volatile organic compounds under tropospheric conditions is generally induced by the reaction with hydroxyl radicals, followed by reaction with oxygen. This thesis involved the study of the mechanisms and reaction pathways of some of these reactions using an experimental system of laser photolysis coupled to Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF, for OH) and continuous wave Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (cw-CRDS, for HO2) detection techniques. The coupling of these detection techniques allowed studying the simultaneous, time resolved kinetics of OH and HO2 radicals and spectroscopic measurements for different species by the cw-CRDS technique. Different chemical systems studied using the above experimental technique include: 1) kinetics of the reaction of OH radicals with CH3OH and CD3OD, 2) HO2 yield in the OH-initiated oxidation of SO2, 3) an energy dependence study on the direct formation of HO2 radicals from the photoexcitation (at 248 nm) of various aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene or mesitylene) in the presence of oxygen. In addition the spectroscopic applications of the cw-CRDS technique have been used to measure the absorption cross-sections of selected absorption lines of H2O2, HONO, HO2 and DO2 in the near infrared region.

La spectroscopie cw-CRDS (continuous wave-Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) est une technique d’absorption très sensible utilisée pour identifier et quantifier des espèces en phase gazeuse à des concentrations faibles et avec un temps de réponse très court. Nous avons développé une chambre de simulation atmosphérique (110 L) équipée d’un spectromètre cw-CRDS dans le proche IR (~ 1,5 µm), permettant la détection in situ du radical hydroperoxyle HO2, et d’autres espèces d’intérêt atmosphérique. Nous avons démontré les performances de ce dispositif original en étudiant deux systèmes réactionnels. Le premier système étudié est la photolyse du méthyle nitrite (CH3ONO), qui génère des radicaux OH. Le HONO issu de la réaction OH + CH3ONO a été identifié et quantifié pour la première fois, ce qui constitue une avancée importante dans la connaissance de cette réaction. La formation du HONO et du CH2O, produit majoritaire de la photolyse, a été étudiée dans différentes conditions expérimentales. Dans un deuxième temps, l’oxydation du méthanol dans l’air par les atomes de chlore Cl a été étudiée. Le radical HO2 a été observé pour la première fois par cw-CRDS in situ dans une chambre de simulation atmosphérique. La cinétique de disparition de HO2 a été étudiée, confirmant la valeur de la constante de vitesse de la réaction mutuelle ; une perte significative sur les parois de réacteur a été observée à très basse pression. La mesure des taux de photolyse du NO2, du CH3ONO et du Cl2 par différentes méthodes a permis de caractériser le dispositif expérimental développé dans ce travail. / The continuous wave-Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) is a very sensitive absorption technique used to selectively identify and quantify gaseous species at low concentrations and with a short acquisition time. We have developed an environmental chamber (110L) coupled with a near-IR cw-CRDS spectrometer for the detection of HO2 and other gaseous species. In order to demonstrate the performance of this setup, we have investigated two reaction systems. The first study concerns the methyl nitrite (CH3ONO) photolysis, which is known to generate OH radicals. The HONO product in the OH + CH3ONO reaction has been identified and quantified for the first time, which represents a very important step in the comprehension of this reaction. The formation of HONO and CH2O (a major product in the CH3ONO photolysis) has been studied under different experimental conditions. Secondly, the oxidation of methanol in air by chlorine atoms has been investigated. The HO2 radical has been observed for the first time by in-situ cw-CRDS in an environmental chamber. The kinetics of HO2 disappearance has been studied and the results confirm the rate constant value of the HO2 self reaction. A rather significant loss of HO2 on the walls of reactor has been observed at low pressure. Finally, the measurement of the photolysis frequencies of NO2, CH3ONO and Cl2 by various methods has allowed characterizing the experimental device developed in this work.

An increase in nanotechnology has seen an associated rise in nanoparticles released into the environment. Their potential toxicity and exposure to humans and the environment, the field of nanoecotoxicology, is not yet well understood. The interactions at the nanoparticle surface will play a fundamental role in the nanoparticle behaviour once released into the environment. This study aims to characterise the particle surface interaction, determining key parameters influential in the nanoparticle fate. Evanescent Wave Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy techniques have been applied to study molecular interactions at the silica-water charged interface. The adsorption of the electronic spectrum of Crystal Violet has demonstrated the formation of a monolayer with different binding site orientation at the interface. The binding affinity for the chromophore was calculated as 29.15 ± 0.02 kJmol-1 at pH 9 and this was compared with other interface structures involving both inorganic and organic components. The study of the model interface was extended to the properties of CeO2 nanoparticles, where the surface charge density was determined to be 1.6 ± 0.3 e- nm-2.The nanoparticle surface charge controls the suspension stability which was measured for CeO2 nanoparticles giving a stability half-life of 330 ± 60 hours in pure water, and 3.6 ± 0.6 hours in ISOFish water. Studies were extended to the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles. An assay was developed to quantify the photo-electron production for nanoparticles exposed to UV light both in deionised water and soil suspensions with a photo-radical production yield of 19 ± 2 % and an electron production of 709 e-s-1np-1 for a 100 mgL-1 suspension. The species-specific photo-radical assay was subsequently used to determine the rate of ZnO nanoparticle dissolution in water and soil suspensions. Comparable dissolution rates in complex cell growth media were also measured, detecting total zinc by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, with comparable dissolution rates derived.

The presented work focuses on study of electron - positive ion recombination in low temperature plasma. The principal method used were Flowing afterglow with Langmuir probe and Stationary afterglow with Cavity Ring-Down Spectrometer. For the first time electron and neutral assisted collisional radiative recombination of Ar+ ions was studied in temperature range of 50 - 200 K. Resulting ternary recombination rate coefficients are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Recombination of H3 + and D3 + ions with electrons was studied in the temperature range of 50 - 300 K and binary and ternary recombination rate coefficients were obtained. The effect of nuclear spin on recombination of H3 + ions with electrons was studied in the temperature range of 80 - 200 K and state selective recombination rate coefficients were obtained for ortho- and para-H3 + . Results show that at 80 K para-H3 + recombines with electrons substantially faster than ortho-H3 + .

The aim of this work is the experimental study of recombination of molecular ions with electrons at low temperatures (< 300 K). The work gives an overview of the diagnostic methods, modelling of chemical kinetics, and experimental ap- paratuses Cryo-FALP II and SA-CRDS used in the undertaken measurements. Two processes were studied in the course of this work: state-selective binary disso- ciative recombination of H+ 3 ions in para-H+ 3 and ortho-H+ 3 states, and H2-assisted ternary recombination of H+ 3 . The main result of the state-selective dissociative recombination study is that the rate of recombination in the para-H+ 3 state is at least three times higher than in the ortho-H+ 3 state at 60 K. The study of H2- assisted recombination gave a better understanding of ternary processes of H+ 3 ions and removed further discrepancies between results of afterglow experiments.

Environmental contamination has become a significant threat to the health and well-being of mankind as well as to the environment, prompting the establishment and implementation of stringent environmental regulations. The ability to accurately detect and quantify contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), uranium (U), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in real-time, in situ is of significant importance to monitoring and remediation efforts. In an effort to develop a real-time, fast-response detector that is portable, highly sensitive, and cost efficient, this research explored the feasibility of utilizing cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) in conjunction with various plasma sources and vacuum cavities to accurately detect trace quantities of contaminants. The feasibility of detecting Hg with a low power, low temperature candle-shaped microwave-induced plasma (MIP) and a copper surfatron microwave cavity with various plasma discharge tube configurations in conjunction with cavity ringdown spectroscopy (MIP-CRDS) is discussed. Detection limits were on the order of 221 ppt Hg in the vapor phase for the candle-shaped MIP and improved by a factor of 10 with the tube-shaped plasma. The ability to detect elemental Hg naturally-evaporating from contaminated soils and solutions was evaluated, and 10’s of ppt were consistently obtained. Additionally, the fine structure of the Hg 253.65 nm transition was observed with each iteration of this approach. The potential of effectively generating uranium atoms and ions with a low-power, lowlow rate microwave-induced plasma was evaluated. Uranium emission spectra covering 320 – 430 nm were obtained, labeled, and compared to the available literature values. Calibration curves were generated, and the detection limits were determined to be ~0.4 ppm. The feasibility of measuring U incorporating diode laser-plasma-CRDS was explored. The preliminary studies clearly show the ability to detect U vapor with this technique and sub-ppm detection limits were obtained. A continuous wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy system (CW-CRDS) incorporating commercially available telecommunications diode lasers was constructed, and the overall sensitivity of this system was evaluated by utilizing the absorption of the asymmetric C-H stretch overtones of several VOCs, including benzene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, toluene, and acetone. Detection limits are determined to be in the ppb’s for each of the organics examined.

Electron impact excitation phenomena play an important role in atomic and molecular physics. The different energy levels of an atom or molecule interact differently with incoming electrons with different energies and that affects the excitation of the energy levels of the atoms and molecules. Studies involving electron impact excitation process are generally conducted with optical emission techniques or by the electron energy loss method. In the present study, for the first time, cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) has been used to investigate electron impact excitation phenomena of electronatom collision processes. The technique, i.e., electron impact excitation-cavity ringdown spectroscopy (EIE-CRDS), was employed for the purposes of fundamental study and of real-time applications. The fundamental study which was carried out in terms of determining electron impact excitation cross section (EIECS) has been demonstrated by measuring EIECS of a few excited levels of mercury (Hg) atom. For the application side, the EIE-CRDS technique has been employed for trace element detection. This dissertation first describes the fundamentals of electron impact excitationcavity ringdown spectroscopy (EIE-CRDS); afterwards its applications are demonstrated. A novel method of measuring excitation cross sections using this EIE-CRDS technique has been explained. In this method, first the excitation of atoms are achieved by electron impact excitation process, subsequently, CRDS measured absolute number density is utilized to determine the absolute EIECS values. Steps of the method are described in detail. Applicability of the method is demonstrated by measuring EIECS of three different energy levels of Hg, namely 6s6p 3P0, 6s6p 3P1, and 6s7s 3S1, and the obtained values are in agreement with those reported in the literature. Secondly, the EIE-CRDS technique was employed to investigate the absorption spectrum of mercury atom in the vicinity of 404.65 nm, corresponding to the transition 6s7s 3S1 -> 6s6p 3P0 levels of mercury. Elemental mercury was measured using a laser of wavelength 404.65 nm. The technological feasibility of developing a portable size instrument for mercury detection was explored. Subsequently, a portable size, dual-mode, plasma-CRDS based prototype instrument, capable of real-time trace element monitoring, was developed. The design, functioning, and specifications of the instrument are also explained.