Detection of interstellar PN - the first phosphorus-bearing species observed in molecular clouds

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185010· OSTI ID:5748134

Ziurys, L M

Phosphorus nitride (PN) has been detected in the interstellar medium. The J = 2-1, 3-2, 5-4, and 6-5 rotational lines of this species have been observed toward Orion-KL, and the J = 2-1 transition in Sgr B2 and W51. The PN line profiles in Orion indicate that the molecule's emission arises from the plateau or doughnut region associated with the outflow from IRc2. The species is thus primarily present in hot, dense gas. Column densities derived for PN toward Orion-KL are (3-4) x 10 to the 13th/sq cm, but may be as high as 10 to the 14th/sq cm, if the species is located in a 10-arcsec region. These column densities imply a fractional abundance for PN in the Orion plateau of (1-4) x 10 to the -10th. Such a large abundance for PN is not predicted by quiescent cloud ion-molecule chemistry and suggests that high-temperature processes are responsible for the synthesis of PN in the KL outflow. 25 references.

• Research Organization: Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, Amherst, MA
• OSTI ID: 5748134
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 321
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
PHOSPHORUS NITRIDES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
ABUNDANCE
COSMIC GASES
DENSITY
SPECTROSCOPY
CHEMISTRY
FLUIDS
GASES
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
SPACE
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies