NaH and LiH in diffuse interstellar clouds

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156391· OSTI ID:6650755

Kirby, K; Dalgarno, A

It has been suggested that NaH may be detectable in diffuse interstellar clouds. We discuss the photodissociation process of NaH and calculate the rate of destruction by the interstellar radiation field. In the unshielded field, the mean lifetime is about 10 years. There appears to be no efficient gas-phase mechanism for the production of NaH. If it is produced with high efficiency on grain surfaces, abundances of order 10/sup 10/ cm/sup -2/ can be achieved. For LiH, a similar analysis leads to an upper limit of 10/sup 6/ cm/sup -2/.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
• OSTI ID: 6650755
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 224:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ABUNDANCE
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC GASES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
DISSOCIATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HYDRIDES
NEBULAE
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDRIDES
SPACE
SPECTRA