Astrochemical relevance of VUV ionization of large PAH cations^.

ABSTRACT:

Context

As a part of interstellar dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are processed by the interaction with vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) photons that are emitted by hot young stars. This interaction leads to the emission of the well-known aromatic infrared bands but also of electrons, which can significantly contribute to the heating of the interstellar gas.

Aims

Our aim is to investigate the impact of molecular size on the photoionization properties of cationic PAHs.

Methods

Trapped PAH cations of sizes between 30 and 48 carbon atoms were submitted to VUV photons in the range of 9 to 20 eV from the DESIRS beamline at the synchrotron SOLEIL. All resulting photoproducts including dications and fragment cations were mass-analyzed and recorded as a function of pho

SUBMITTER: Wenzel G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7116310 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature