REAL-TIME OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATED PYRENE:H{sub 2}O INTERSTELLAR ICE
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics, Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden, NL-2300 RA Leiden (Netherlands)
This paper describes a near-UV/VIS study of a pyrene:H{sub 2}O interstellar ice analogue at 10 K using optical absorption spectroscopy. A new experimental approach makes it possible to irradiate the sample with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light (7-10.5 eV) while simultaneously recording spectra in the 240-1000 nm range with subsecond time resolution. Both spectroscopic and dynamic information on VUV processed ices are obtained in this way. This provides a powerful tool to follow, in situ and in real time, the photophysical and photochemical processes induced by VUV irradiation of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing inter- and circumstellar ice analogue. Results on the VUV photolysis of a prototype sample-strongly diluted pyrene in H{sub 2}O ice-are presented. In addition to the pyrene cation (Py{sup +}), other products-hydroxypyrene (PyOH), possibly hydroxypyrene cation (PyOH{sup +}), and pyrene/pyrenolate anion (Py{sup -}/PyO{sup -})-are observed. It is found that the charge remains localized in the ice, also after the VUV irradiation is stopped. The astrochemical implications and observational constraints are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 21313913
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 700; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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