N-dependence of the reaction rate for C/sup +/+C/sub n/. -->. C/sup +//sub n/+1 in the interstellar space

Journal Article · Wed Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160543· OSTI ID:5988020

Freed, K F; Oka, T; Suzuki, H

The rate of the radiative association reaction C/sup +/..-->..C/sub n/..-->..C/sup +//sub n/+1 +h..nu.. is considered under the conditions in interstellar space. The lifetimes of the energized C/sup +//sub n/+1 ion are estimated from the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) model of unimolecular decomposition and compared with the lifetime of infrared emission. It is shown that this reaction proceeds efficiently with the Langevin rate for n> or =4. Thus, the carbon chain can grow very quickly once it reaches C/sub 4/. This may explain the observed abundance of long carbon chain molecules in interstellar space.

• Research Organization: James Franck Institute and Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago
• OSTI ID: 5988020
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 263:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATOM COLLISIONS
CARBON
CARBON IONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COLLISIONS
ELEMENTS
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
ION COLLISIONS
ION-ATOM COLLISIONS
IONS
LIFETIME
MECHANICS
MOLECULES
NONMETALS
PARTICLES
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RECOMBINATION