Vacuum ultraviolet and infrared spectra of condensed methyl acetate on cold astrochemical dust analogs

Journal Article · Sat Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 2013 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/778/2/157· OSTI ID:22341887

Sivaraman, B. ^[1]; Nair, B. G.; Mason, N. J. ^[2]; Lo, J. -I.; Cheng, B. -M. ^[3]; Kundu, S.; Davis, D.; Prabhudesai, V.; Krishnakumar, E. ^[4]

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1. Space and Atmospheric Sciences Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad 380009 (India)
2. Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA (United Kingdom)
3. National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan (China)
4. Department of Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005 (India)

Following the recent report of the first identification of methyl acetate (CH{sub 3}COOCH{sub 3}) in the interstellar medium (ISM), we have carried out vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy studies on methyl acetate from 10 K until sublimation in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber simulating astrochemical conditions. We present the first VUV and IR spectra of methyl acetate relevant to ISM conditions. Spectral signatures clearly showed molecular reorientation to have started in the ice by annealing the amorphous ice formed at 10 K. An irreversible phase change from amorphous to crystalline methyl acetate ice was found to occur between 110 K and 120 K.

• OSTI ID: 22341887
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 778; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ANNEALING
COSMOLOGY
DUSTS
FAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
ICE
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
METHYL ACETATE
MOLECULES
SOLIDS
SPACE
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
SUBLIMATION