This dissertation is a study of the physical conditions in star-forming regions, and combines observational data and theoretical calculations. We studied the physical conditions of Orions Veil, which is an absorbing screen that lies along the line of sight to the Orion H II region. We computed photoionization models of the Veil. We combined calculations with UV, radio, and optical spectra that resolve the Veil into two velocity components. We derive many physical parameters for each component seen in 21 cm absorption. We find the magnetic field energy dominates turbulent and thermal energies in one component while the other component is close to equipartition between turbulent and magnetic energies. We observe H2 absorption for highly excited levels. We find that the low ratio of H2/H0 in the Veil is due to the high UV flux incident upon the Veil. We detect blueshifted S+2 and P+2 ions which must arise from ionized gas between the neutral portions of the Veil and the Trapezium and shields the Veil from ionizing radiation. We determine the ionized and neutral layers of the Veil will collide in less than 85,000 years. The second part of this dissertation involved self-consistently calculating the thermal and chemical structure of an H II region and photodissociation region (PDR) that are in pressure equilibrium. This differs from previous work, which used separate calculations for each gas phase. Our calculations span a wide range of initial conditions. We describe improvements made to the spectral synthesis code Cloudy which made these calculations possible. These include the addition of a molecular network with ~1000 reactions involving 68 molecules and improved treatment of the grain physics. Archival data are used to derive important physical characteristics of observed H II regions and PDRs. These include stellar temperatures, electron densities, ionization parameters, UV flux, and PDR density. The contribution of the H II region to PDR emission line diagnostics is also calculated. Finally, these calculations are used to derive emission line ratios than can tell us the equation of state in star-forming regions.

Neste trabalho estudamos o processo de ressonância colisional o que nos permitiu aumentar a taxa de formação molecular em até seis vezes. Isto foi feito variando-se a temperatura atômica de uma amostra inicialmente aprisionada em uma armadilha magneto óptica (MOT) através de um passo de resfriamento do tipo melaço óptico (molasses). Uma explicação qualitativa foi apresentada para o efeito observando as soluções das funções de ondas parciais para átomos interagentes no estado fundamental. Carregamos uma armadilha óptica de dipolo formada por um laser de Ti:Safira. Por fim, ressaltamos a importância de tais resultados para o nosso grupo de pesquisas e a sua utilização em futuros experimentos. / In this work, we study a partial wave resonance process which allows us to increase the molecule formation rate up to six times. This was done by an atomic temperature variation which was first trapped in a magneto optical trap (MOT) by applying a molasses stage. A qualitative explanation was presented for the observed effect through the partial waves solutions for ground states interacting atoms. We loaded an optical dipole trap formed by a Ti:Sapphire laser. Finally, we discuss the importance of such results for our research and their use in future experiments.

Neste trabalho estudamos o processo de ressonância colisional o que nos permitiu aumentar a taxa de formação molecular em até seis vezes. Isto foi feito variando-se a temperatura atômica de uma amostra inicialmente aprisionada em uma armadilha magneto óptica (MOT) através de um passo de resfriamento do tipo melaço óptico (molasses). Uma explicação qualitativa foi apresentada para o efeito observando as soluções das funções de ondas parciais para átomos interagentes no estado fundamental. Carregamos uma armadilha óptica de dipolo formada por um laser de Ti:Safira. Por fim, ressaltamos a importância de tais resultados para o nosso grupo de pesquisas e a sua utilização em futuros experimentos. / In this work, we study a partial wave resonance process which allows us to increase the molecule formation rate up to six times. This was done by an atomic temperature variation which was first trapped in a magneto optical trap (MOT) by applying a molasses stage. A qualitative explanation was presented for the observed effect through the partial waves solutions for ground states interacting atoms. We loaded an optical dipole trap formed by a Ti:Sapphire laser. Finally, we discuss the importance of such results for our research and their use in future experiments.

Le travail que je présente dans cette thèse est un travail principalement expérimental effectué au sein du laboratoire LAMAp de l'Université de Cergy-Pontoise, à l'aide du dispositif expérimental appelé FORMOLISM. Les principaux composants de ce dispositif sont: l'ultravide (10-10 mbar), l'ultra-froid (~5 K), des jets atomiques, la spectrométrie de masse TPD (Thermally Programmed Desorption) et la spectroscopie laser dans l'UV mettant en oeuvre des longueurs d'onde autour de ~200 nm. Grâce à la technique REMPI-TOF (Resonantly Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization – Time Of Flight), nous avons étudié d'une part, la conversion de spin nucléaire de la molécule d'hydrogène H2 sur une surface de glace d'eau amorphe poreuse et d'autre part les processus de formation de cette molécule, qui est la plus abondante dans le milieu interstellaire, sur des surfaces simulant des grains de poussière interstellaire. Les résultats de cette étude présentent un intérêt capital en astrophysique. En effet cette formation ne peut se produire en phase gaz mais peut être expliquée par la rencontre de deux atomes d'hydrogène sur un grain de poussière du milieu interstellaire qui joue le rôle de catalyseur. Différents processus sont impliqués dans la formation de H2 qu'il s'agit d'identifier. Dans ce but, je présente des résultats entièrement nouveaux sur la formation de H2 moléculaire sur une surface de silicate amorphe. Je montre que la molécule peut se former dans un état rovibrationnellement excité de son niveau fondamental jusqu'à une température d'environ 70K et qu'elle est relâchée dans la phase gaz immédiatement après sa formation. Ces résultats démontrent la compétition entre deux mécanismes de formation à très basses température (<18 K) tandis qu'un autre mécanisme prend le relais jusqu'à 70K. / The work that I present in this thesis is primarily an experimental work carried out in the LAMAp laboratory at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, using the experimental device called FORMOLISM. The main components of this device are: ultra-high vacuum (10-10 mbar), ultra-low temperature (~5 K), atomic jets, TPD mass spectrometry (Thermally Programmed Desorption) and laser spectroscopy using ultraviolet wavelengths around ~200 nm. Thanks to the REMPI-TOF (Resonantly Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization – Time Of Flight) technique, we have studied i) the nuclear spin conversion of the hydrogen molecule H2 on a porous amorphous water ice surface and ii) the processes of formation of this molecule, which is the most abundant in the interstellar medium, on surfaces simulating interstellar dust grains. The results of this study are of capital interest in astrophysics. Actually, this formation cannot occur in the gas phase but can only be explained by the encounter of two hydrogen atoms on a dust grain in the interstellar medium, the latter playing the role of a catalyst. Different processes are involved in the formation of H2 which require to be identified. With this aim, I present entirely new results on molecular H2 formation on an amorphous silicate surface. I show that the molecule can form in a rovibrationnally excited state of its ground state up to a temperature of about 70 K and that the molecule is released into the gas phase immediately after its formation. These results demonstrate the competition between two mechanisms of formation at very low temperature (<18 K) while another mechanism takes over up to 70 K.

Neste trabalho, determinamos a constante de taxa de formação molecular para a molécula Rb2, e observamos o comportamento desta constante de taxa como função da intensidade e da freqüência da luz responsável pelo processo de fotoassociação. Nesse sentido, realizamos uma série de experimentos com o intuito de alcançarmos um melhor entendimento sobre o processo de formação molecular e detecção. Neste trabalho aprisionamos os átomos em duas configurações geométricas espaciais diferentes, na forma esférica e na forma de anel. Com os átomos confinados na configuração de anel, desenvolvemos uma nova técnica para o estudo de processos colisionais ultrafrios, onde a existência de eixo preferencial de colisão faz com os átomos aprisionados no anel se comportem com um mini-feixe atômico ultrafrio. / We present a systematic study of the Rb2 molecular dimmers formed in a MOT. We start with the determination of the molecular formation rate constant and have studied it\'s as function of the laser intensity and frequency used in the photoassociation process. The results provided more insights to help the understanding in the molecular formation process We have also probed samples in which the cold atoms were trapped by different geometries with and without a preferential collision axis: spherical/ring shaped MOTs. It was observed that the atoms in the ring shaped MOT present special features due to the collisional axis. This means that they behave like a miniature atomic beam which can be used in many other future experiments.

Neste trabalho, determinamos a constante de taxa de formação molecular para a molécula Rb2, e observamos o comportamento desta constante de taxa como função da intensidade e da freqüência da luz responsável pelo processo de fotoassociação. Nesse sentido, realizamos uma série de experimentos com o intuito de alcançarmos um melhor entendimento sobre o processo de formação molecular e detecção. Neste trabalho aprisionamos os átomos em duas configurações geométricas espaciais diferentes, na forma esférica e na forma de anel. Com os átomos confinados na configuração de anel, desenvolvemos uma nova técnica para o estudo de processos colisionais ultrafrios, onde a existência de eixo preferencial de colisão faz com os átomos aprisionados no anel se comportem com um mini-feixe atômico ultrafrio. / We present a systematic study of the Rb2 molecular dimmers formed in a MOT. We start with the determination of the molecular formation rate constant and have studied it\'s as function of the laser intensity and frequency used in the photoassociation process. The results provided more insights to help the understanding in the molecular formation process We have also probed samples in which the cold atoms were trapped by different geometries with and without a preferential collision axis: spherical/ring shaped MOTs. It was observed that the atoms in the ring shaped MOT present special features due to the collisional axis. This means that they behave like a miniature atomic beam which can be used in many other future experiments.