The Ice Chamber for Astrophysics/Astrochemistry (ICA) at ATOMKI is designed to investigate the effect of ion irradiation of analogues of interstellar and Solar System ices deposited on a series of cold substrates (20-300 K) vertically mounted on a copper holder connected to a closed cycle cryostat, a 360° rotation stage and a z-linear translation stage.

The major goal of the experimental apparatus is to systematically study space relevant ices under different ion-impact conditions (energy, fluxes and type of projectile) to better understand the origin and evolution of the building blocks of life.

The ice composition and the physico-chemical changes induced upon ion irradiation are monitored by infrared spectroscopy in either a transmission or a reflection mode. Ions of different species and charge states mimicking the effects of cosmic rays and stellar wind are produced by a Tandetron accelerator with energies from 0.2 to 4 MeV. Temperature programed desorption studies can be performed on both non-irradiated and irradiated ices in order to identify molecules desorbing from the ice layer.