Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the unidentified infrared emission bands: Auto exhaust along the Milky Wayexclamation

Journal Article · Thu Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184435· OSTI ID:5773044

Allamandola, L J; Tielens, A G.G.M.; Barker, J R

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), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 290:1; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
AROMATICS
CHRYSENE
CONDENSED AROMATICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FLUORESCENCE
GALAXIES
HYDROCARBONS
INFRARED RADIATION
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
LUMINESCENCE
MILKY WAY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RADIATIONS
RAMAN SPECTRA
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
VIBRATIONAL STATES