Infrared spectroscopy of astrophysical ices - New insights in the photochemistry

Authors :: Grim, R. J. A
Greenberg, J. M
De Groot, M. S
Baas, F
Schutte, W. A
Source :: Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 78(2, Ma)
Publication Year :: 1989
Publisher :: United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1989.
Abstract: The photochemical effects of the interstellar radiation field on the ice mantles of molecular-cloud dust grains are investigated by means of laboratory simulations. The apparatus and analytical methods described by Hagen et al. (1979) and Hagen (1982) are employed, and the results are presented as spectra and discussed in detail. Consideration is given to the strong IR absorption bands of OCN(-) and NH4(+) which appear after photolysis and heating of H2O/NH3/CO/O2 ices, the detection of similar bands toward W33A, the critical role of NH3 in the photochemical production of ions, and the use of calculated integrated absorption-band strengths to estimate astrophysical column densities.

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