->One of the open problems in [[http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ | astrobiology]] is understanding the formation of carbon and nitrogen containing molecules because such species can be considered the building block from which biotic molecules can form. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive "Earth-like" atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with small amounts of CH'_4_', H'_2_' and NH'_3_'. Surprisingly, several other complex organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics and polyaromatics) have been discovered by the joint [[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]]/[[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| ESA]] Cassini-Huygens mission. Titan's atmosphere is considered to be a reservoir of prebiotic molecules that serve as the springboard to life, and its study may offer a new perspective on the emergence of life on Earth. The study of Titan’s organic inventory and astrobiological potential is one of the scientific goals of the new NASA/ESA [[http://opfm.jpl.nasa.gov/titanriskreduction/tssmoverview/| Titan Saturn System Mission]].

->One of the open problems in [[http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ | astrobiology]] is understanding the formation of carbon and nitrogen containing molecules because such species can be considered the building block from which biotic molecules can form. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive "Earth-like" atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with small amounts of CH'_4_', H'_2_' and NH'_3_'. Surprisingly, several other complex organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics and polyaromatics) have been discovered by the joint [[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]]/[[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| ESA]] Cassini-Huygens mission. Titan's atmosphere is considered to be a reservoir of prebiotic molecules that serve as the springboard to life, and its study may offer a new perspective on the emergence of life on Earth.

->One of the open problems in [[http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ | astrobiology]]is understanding the formation of carbon and nitrogen containing molecules because such species can be considered the building block from which biotic molecules can form. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive "Earth-like" atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with small amounts of CH'_4_', H'_2_' and NH'_3_'. Surprisingly, several other complex organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics and polyaromatics) have been discovered by the joint [[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]]/[[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| ESA]] Cassini-Huygens mission. Titan's atmosphere is considered to be a reservoir of prebiotic molecules that serve as the springboard to life, and its study may offer a new perspective on the emergence of life on Earth.

* Experimental studies on '''ionic elementary processes''' in laboratory plasmas.

Thesis projects (for ''Laurea triennale'' and ''Laurea magistrale'' in Physics) on the following topics are available:


* '''Development''' of an '''ion source''' for the efficient generation of molecular cations (both singly and doubly charged). The source should be implemented on an existing ''tandem mass spectrometer'' based on a ''RF octupole guide''. The set-up will be used to study gas phase reactivity of ions with molecules of relevance for modelling the molecular physics of laboratory plasmas, combustion systems, planetary atmospheres and the interstellar space.

* Experimental studies on '''elementary processes''' for '''molecular synthesis''' in '''extraterrestrial environments''': ionic pathways for the synthesis of prebiotic molecules Titan's atmosphere.
->One of our main interests is understanding the formation of carbon and nitrogen containing molecules because such species can be considered the building block from which biotic molecules can form. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive "Earth-like" atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with small amounts of CH'_4_', H'_2_' and NH'_3_'. Surprisingly, several other complex organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics and polyaromatics) have been discovered by the joint [[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]]/[[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| ESA]] Cassini-Huygens mission. Titan's atmosphere is considered to be a reservoir of prebiotic molecules that serve as the springboard to life, and its study may offer a new perspective on the emergence of life on Earth.

* Experimental study on the reactivity of '''hydrocarbon and N-containing ions with molecules''': modelling the growth of complex species in Titan's ionosphere. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with CH'_4_' and H'_2_' being the most abundant minor constituents. Several other organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics) have been discovered by the joint [[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]] - [[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| ESA]] Cassini -Huygens mission.

Thesis projects (for both ''Laurea triennale'' and ''Laurea magistrale'' in Physics on the following topics are available:


* '''Development''' of an '''ion source''' for the efficient generation of molecular cations (both singly and doubly charged). The source should be implemented on an existing ''tandem mass spectrometer'' based on a ''RF octupole guide''. The set-up will be used to study gas phase reactivity of ions with molecules of relevance for modelling the physical chemistry of laboratory plasmas, combustion systems, planetary atmospheres and the interstellar space.

* Experimental study on the reactivity of '''hydrocarbon and N-containing ions with molecules''': modelling the growth of complex species in Titan's ionosphere. Titan is Saturn's largest moon and the only satellite in the Solar System with an extensive atmosphere, largely composed of N'_2_', with CH'_4_' and H'_2_' being the most abundant minor constituents. Several other organic species (hydrocarbons, nitriles, aromatics) have been discovered by the joint ESA-[[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html | NASA]] [[http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html| Cassini-Huygens]] mission.

Thesis projects (for both ''Laurea triennale'' and ''Laurea magistrale'' in Physics on the following topics are available


* '''Development''' of an '''ion source''' for the efficient generation of molecular cations (both singly and doubly charged). The source should be implemented on an existing ''tandem mass spectrometer'' based on a ''RF octupole guide''. The set-up will be used to study gas phase reactivity of ions with molecules of relevance for modelling the physical chemistry of laboratory plasmas, combustion systems, planetary atmospheres and the interstellar space