University of Gothenburg
University of Gothenburg
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  4. Gunnar Nyman

Gunnar Nyman

Professor

Department of Chemistry & Molecular
Biology
Telephone
+46 31-786 90 35
+46 766-22 90 35
Mail
gunnar.nyman@gu.se
Visiting address
Medicinaregatan 7 B
413 90 Göteborg
Room number
7282
Postal address
Box 462
405 30 Göteborg

About Gunnar Nyman

My research interest is in theoretical and computational treatments of chemical reaction kinetics and dynamics, both in gas phase and condensed phase. I am particularly interested in quantum effects and if these can be described by methods originating in classical mechanics.

A particular focus of my research is on processes that occur in interstellar molecular clouds, i.e. the birthplaces of new stars. In these environments it is often very cold and the pressure is extremely low compared to our atmosphere. Most of the material is in the gas phase, but roughly 1% of the mass is found as small grains (dust), on the order of a micrometer in size. We investigate molecule formation in these environments by theoretical methods. We are particularly interested in molecule formation by radiative association and diffusion and absorption of small molecules on interstellar ices.

I also take a particular interest in how the dust in our universe, which can act as catalyser for chemical reactions, is formed and destroyed under diverse physical conditions. We investigate details of these processes subject to radiation and shocks, i.e. bombardment by photons or by small particles like molecules, atoms, ions or electrons. This is done at an atomic level using classical trajectory calculations and quantum mechanically based approaches.