J. Mathias Weber

Humans of JILA: Lane Terry

Submitted by sburrows on

Though many within JILA’s community approach our understanding of the universe through a physics lens, graduate student Lane Terry applies a chemist’s perspective. In the laboratory of JILA fellow Mathias Weber, Terry uses cryogenic ion vibrational spectroscopy to isolate and probe molecular ions, revealing unique characteristics.

Unambiguous Detection of Biosignatures by Action Spectroscopy

Molecules that are a close precursor to living systems or that are most likely a result of biological activity can tell us whether there could be life on other worlds in our own solar system. Therefore, the capability to accurately identify and quantify such biomarkers, which may be found in the presence of a complex mixture of molecules and their isomers, is crucial for future life detection missions, e.g. to Europa or Titan.