Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the unidentified infrared emission bands: Auto exhaust along the Milky Wayexclamation
We have attributed the unidentified infrared emission feature (UIR bands) to a collection of partially hydrogenated, positively charged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This assignment is based on a spectrocopic analysis of the UIR bands. Comparison of the observed interstellar 6.2 and 7.7 ..mu..m bands with the laboratory measured Raman spectrum of a collection of carbon-based particulates (auto exhaust) shows a very good agreement, supporting this idenfication. The infrared-emission is due to relaxation from highly vibrationally and electronically excited states. The infrared emission is due to relaxation from highly vibrationally excited states. The excitation is probably caused by UV photon absorption.
- Research Organization:
- Space Science Division, NASA/Ames Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 5773044
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Vol. 290:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHRYSENE
FLUORESCENCE
MILKY WAY
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
ABUNDANCE
SPECTROSCOPY
EMISSION
EXCITED STATES
INFRARED RADIATION
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
PARTICULATES
RAMAN SPECTRA
VIBRATIONAL STATES
AROMATICS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY LEVELS
GALAXIES
HYDROCARBONS
LUMINESCENCE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies