World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Chemistry

D-Index
80
Citations
21041
World Ranking
3453
National Ranking
1130

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2017 - Fellow of the American Chemical Society
  • 2012 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 2011 - Fellow of American Physical Society (APS) Citation For pioneering experimental investigations of the chemical evolution of the Solar System and the Interstellar Medium, using crossed molecular beams and surface scattering to probe the underlying phenomena on the most fundamental, microscopic molecular level

Overview

Ralf I. Kaiser is affiliated with the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the United States. Their research spans the intersection of physics, astronomy, and chemistry with a focus on molecular-level processes and chemical evolution in space and related environments.

Their main fields of study include Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry. Subfields in which Kaiser has contributed significantly are:

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Spectroscopy
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Atmospheric Science

The scientific topics most frequently addressed in their work include:

  • Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
  • Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
  • Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
  • Energetic Materials and Combustion
  • Synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic/organometallic compounds
  • Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
  • Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Kaiser's scholarship is published extensively across various venues, with notable frequent publication outlets being:

  • The Journal of Physical Chemistry A
  • Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
  • The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
  • The Astrophysical Journal
  • ChemPhysChem

Among their recent papers are:

  • "An Aromatic Universe-A Physical Chemistry Perspective," 2021, The Journal of Physical Chemistry A
  • "Discovery of two isomers of ethynyl cyclopentadiene in TMC-1: Abundances of CCH and CN derivatives of hydrocarbon cycles," 2021, Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • "Low-temperature gas-phase formation of indene in the interstellar medium," 2021, Science Advances
  • "Exploiting Photoionization Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry to Explore Molecular Mass Growth Processes to Complex Organic Molecules in Interstellar and Solar System Ice Analogs," 2020, Accounts of Chemical Research
  • "Discovery of fulvenallene in TMC-1 with the QUIJOTE line survey," 2022, Astronomy and Astrophysics

The scientist frequently collaborates with other researchers. Their most common coauthors are:

  • Alexander M. Mebel
  • Zhenghai Yang
  • Chao He
  • Shane J. Goettl
  • Andrew M. Turner

Ralf I. Kaiser has been recognized by major scientific societies and holds fellowships including:

  • Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2017)
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2012)
  • Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) (2011), with a citation for pioneering experimental investigations of the chemical evolution of the Solar System and the Interstellar Medium using crossed molecular beams and surface scattering methods

Best Publications

  • Experimental investigation on the formation of carbon-bearing molecules in the interstellar medium via neutral-neutral reactions.

    Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Low temperature formation of naphthalene and its role in the synthesis of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in the interstellar medium

    D. S. N. Parker;F. Zhang;Y. S. Kim;R. I. Kaiser

  • A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Formation of the Amino Acid Glycine (NH2CH2COOH) and Its Isomer (CH3NHCOOH) in Extraterrestrial Ices

    Philip D. Holtom;Philip D. Holtom;Chris J. Bennett;Yoshihiro Osamura;Nigel J. Mason

  • ON THE FORMATION OF GLYCOLALDEHYDE (HCOCH2OH) AND METHYL FORMATE (HCOOCH3) IN INTERSTELLAR ICE ANALOGS

    Chris J. Bennett;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Formation Mechanisms of Naphthalene and Indene: From the Interstellar Medium to Combustion Flames

    Alexander M. Mebel;Alexander Landera;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Theoretical and Laboratory Studies on the Interaction of Cosmic-Ray Particles with Interstellar Ices. III. Suprathermal Chemistry-Induced Formation of Hydrocarbon Molecules in Solid Methane (CH4), Ethylene (C2H4), and Acetylene (C2H2)

    R. I. Kaiser;K. Roessler

  • Untangling the formation of the cyclic carbon trioxide isomer in low temperature carbon dioxide ices

    Chris J. Bennett;C. Jamieson;Alexander M. Mebel;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Laboratory Studies on the Irradiation of Methane in Interstellar, Cometary, and Solar System Ices

    Chris J. Bennett;Corey S. Jamieson;Yoshihiro Osamura;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Mechanistical Studies on the Irradiation of Methanol in Extraterrestrial Ices

    Chris J. Bennett;Shih-Hua Chen;Bing-Jian Sun;Agnes H. H. Chang

  • Formation of Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen Peroxide in Electron-irradiated Crystalline Water Ice

    Weijun Zheng;David Jewitt;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Formation of Interstellar C3H Isomers

    R. I. Kaiser;C. Ochsenfeld;M. Head-Gordon;Y. T. Lee

  • Understanding the kinetics and dynamics of radiation-induced reaction pathways in carbon monoxide ice at 10 K

    Corey S. Jamieson;Alexander M. Mebel;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Formation of benzene in the interstellar medium

    Brant M. Jones;Fangtong Zhang;Ralf I. Kaiser;Adeel Jamal

  • Hydrogen abstraction/acetylene addition revealed.

    Dorian S. N. Parker;Ralf I. Kaiser;Tyler P. Troy;Musahid Ahmed

  • Formation of complex organic molecules in methanol and methanol–carbon monoxide ices exposed to ionizing radiation – a combined FTIR and reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry study

    Surajit Maity;Ralf I. Kaiser;Brant M. Jones

  • Application of Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Astrophysically Relevant Ices Exposed to Ionization Radiation: Methane (CH4) and D4-Methane (CD4) as a Case Study.

    Brant M. Jones;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Combined crossed molecular beams and AB initio investigation of the formation of carbon-bearing molecules in the interstellar medium via neutral-neutral reactions

    Ralf I. Kaiser;C. Ochsenfeld;D. Stranges;M. Head-Gordon

  • A combined experimental and computational investigation on the synthesis of acetaldehyde [CH3CHO(X 1A')] in interstellar ices

    Chris J. Bennett;Corey S. Jamieson;Yoshihiro Osamura;Ralf I. Kaiser

  • Reaction dynamics in astrochemistry: low-temperature pathways to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the interstellar medium.

    Ralf I. Kaiser;Dorian S.N. Parker;Alexander M. Mebel

  • Formation of Nitriles in the Interstellar Medium via Reactions of Cyano Radicals, CN(X 2Σ+), with Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

    N. Balucani;O. Asvany;L. C. L. Huang;Y. T. Lee

  • Water and astrobiology

    Michael J. Mottl;Michael J. Mottl;Brian T. Glazer;Brian T. Glazer;Ralf I. Kaiser;Ralf I. Kaiser;Karen J. Meech;Karen J. Meech

  • Temperature Dependence of the Formation of Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen Peroxide in Electron-Irradiated Crystalline Water Ice

    Weijun Zheng;David Jewitt;Ralf I. Kaiser

Frequent Co-Authors

Alexander M. Mebel
Alexander M. Mebel Florida International University
Musahid Ahmed
Musahid Ahmed Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Nadia Balucani
Nadia Balucani University of Perugia
Yuan T. Lee
Yuan T. Lee Academia Sinica
Holger F. Bettinger
Holger F. Bettinger University of Tübingen
Arthur G. Suits
Arthur G. Suits University of Missouri
Henry F. Schaefer
Henry F. Schaefer University of Georgia
Christian Ochsenfeld
Christian Ochsenfeld Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Martin Head-Gordon
Martin Head-Gordon University of California, Berkeley
David Jewitt
David Jewitt University of California, Los Angeles

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Chemistry in the USA opens doors to a variety of exciting career pathways, often complemented by related online degrees. For those interested in healthcare, exploring how do you become a pharmacist provides valuable insight into the education and certification process required for this rewarding profession.

Individuals passionate about forensic science may consider enrolling in an online forensic science degree online program, which offers flexible learning options to gain essential knowledge in crime lab analysis and investigative techniques.

Another niche career involves working as an autopsy technician. If this intrigues you, learning more about autopsy technician school can help clarify educational requirements, job outlook, and salary expectations for this specialized field.

Additionally, for those interested in the psychological aspects of forensic investigations, pursuing an online forensic psychology masters degree can equip you with advanced skills in criminal behavior analysis and profiling, increasing your professional opportunities.

These diverse pathways highlight how chemistry knowledge integrates well with multidisciplinary careers, all achievable through various affordable and accessible online programs.

Best Scientists Citing Ralf I. Kaiser

Trending Scientists