1. Could you explain the significance of your article to the non-specialist?

Bare carbon species have often been brought into discussion as possible carriers of the diffuse interstellar absorptions, a major unsolved riddle of observational astronomy dating over 80 years. In order to test this, the laboratory measurement of their gas-phase electronic spectra is a prerequisite.This has now been achieved for cyclic C₁₄ , produced by laser vaporization of graphite and detected by a mass-selective two laser-photon ionisation approach. These data will enable astronomers to make a search for this molecule by means of star-light absorption through interstellar clouds.

2. What has motivated you to conduct this work?

The motivation for this work has been the challenge to find ways in the laboratory to produce such transient species and measure their electronic spectra in the gas-phase. This signature is then the way to identify them in hostile and inaccessible environments: in space and in plasmas on earth, as well in gaining fundamental understanding of their structures. 

3. Where do you see this work developing in the future?

The work will build on the break-through made in detecting cyclic C₁₄ , by extending the studies to other, and larger, bare carbon systems with chain, ring and fullerene structures. 

4. Are there any particular challenges facing future research in this area?

The experimental challenges remain: how to prepare the species in copious amounts, how to detect their electronic transitions in the gas-phase and how to relate this to astronomical observations and interstellar chemistry.