This thesis is about the study of hydrocarbons via infrared spectroscopy.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. F.F.S. van der Tak (RUG)

This thesis presents the anharmonic infrared spectra of a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Comparisons and characterizations are made based on high-resolution low-temperature gas-phase experimental spectra.

We have conducted a full spectral line survey of the 3-13 micron region of two massive protostars, AFGL 2591 and AFGL 2136, for the first time at high spectral resolution.

Promotor: I. A. G. Snellen, Co-promotor: M. A. Kenworthy

This thesis describes the implementation and on-sky demonstration of high-resolution integral-field spectroscopy for extreme adaptive optics systems that are used to find and characterize exoplanets.

This thesis focuses on the X-ray spectral analysis of merging galaxy clusters and the plasma code development for future high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy observations.

This thesis revolves around the electronic spectroscopy of molecules in the laboratory and the search for the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).

The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to develop new methods forchallenging systems in liquid-state NMR using paramagnetic effects generated by thetwo-armed probe CLaNP-5.

PhD defence

This thesis is largely an experimental study on the formation of solid-state simple and complex organic molecules in the H2O-rich and CO-rich ice phases of dense interstellar clouds and dark cores.

Promotor: J.G.E.M. Fraaije, Co-Promotor: A. Kros

This thesis is about cosmological inflation and its relation to observations.

In surface science there is great effort to move from studying simple, flat model surfaces in vacuum to investigating more complex model catalysts in gas environments (in situ). This thesis gives three examples of such studies using microscopy and spectroscopy.

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.L.V. Linnartz

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: G.J. Herczeg

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

Until the 1990s, the only known planets were those in our Solar System. Three decades later, several thousand exoplanets have been discovered orbiting stars other than the Sun, and substantial efforts have been made to explore these strange new worlds through spectroscopic analyses of their atmosphe…

Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC)

Barrier function is the natural role of the skin. The lipid matrix present in the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum is important for this function.

In human cells, a meter-long DNA is condensed inside a micrometer-sized cell nucleus. Simultaneously, the genetic code must remain accessible for its replication and transcription to functional proteins.

Hot astrophysical plasma is ubiquitous in the Universe, from comets in our Solar system to the largest scale structures -- the cosmic web filaments. These hot plasmas, with the temperature of a few millions of degrees, are often observed in the X-ray wavelength range.

Astronomical observations of cold regions in the universe show a rich inventory of ices. Part of these ices may end up on planets like our own, but in that journey they will be exposed to considerable amounts of radiation.

Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC)

Bernhard Brandl benoemd tot hoogleraar Infrared Astronomy

Promotores: G.W. Canters, T.J. Aartsma

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

Gold nanorods are biocompatible nanoparticles that present an excellent two-photon signal that can be used to get high spatial resolution inside living cells. Gold nanorods are photostable and therefore can be followed inside cells for long time, with possible applications as trackers in live cells.

Promotor: J.S. Kaastra Co-promotor: E. Constantini

In this thesis, we present new laboratory data of interstellar dust analogues.

Het DESHIMA-instrument van Nederlands-Japanse makelij heeft de eerste praktijktests doorstaan bij het meten van de afstanden en leeftijden van verre sterrenstelsels. De kern van het instrument is een chip ter grootte van twee euromunten die 49 tinten ver-infraroodlicht meet. De ontwikkelaars van de…

Over the past years it has been discovered that the population of extra-solar planets is large and diverse.

Promotor: J. A. Bouwstra

Promotor: Prof.dr. I.A.G. Snellen, C.U. Keller

Na 25 jaar is het deze december eindelijk zo ver: de lancering van de lang verwachte James Webb ruimtetelescoop. Leidse astronomen kijken vol spanning mee: niet alleen waren zij betrokken bij de bouw van belangrijke instrumenten aan boord, de telescoop zal ook vele nieuwe geheimen van het heelal onthullen,…

Promotor: W. Jaffe, Co-promotor: K. Meisenheimer

Promotor: D. Bouwmeester, Co-promotor: D. Kraft

Multicopper oxidase, laccase, can efficiently reduce oxygen to water and are mostly used in the enzymatic biofuel cells.

Phospholipase A/acyltransferase 3 (PLAAT3) and PLAAT4 are enzymes involved in the synthesis of bioactive lipids. Despite sequential and structural similarities, the two enzymes differ in activity and specificity.

Promotor: M. Franx, Co-Promotor: I.F. Labbé

Promotores: Prof.dr. G.W. Canters, Prof.dr. T.J. Aartsma

Promotor: T. Schmidt, Co-promotor: S. J.T. van Noort

Dr. Claartje Levelt, werkzaam binnen LUCL en LIBC, is een internationaal erkend expert op het gebied van de eerste taalverwerving. Ze onderzoekt hoe het taalsysteem van de grond komt bij baby’s en jonge kinderen, wat daarbij de interactie is tussen taalwaarneming en taalproductie en wat voor leermechanismen…

Single-molecule spectroscopy has become a powerful method for using organic fluorescent molecules in numerous applications.

Gold nanoparticles show surprisingly strong interactions with light in the visible range, which can be divided into scattering, absorption, and photoluminescence.

The intracluster medium (ICM) is a hot, tenuous and X-ray emitting gas that pervades galaxy clusters.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: F. Calle-Vallejo