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Production of interstellar HCN and HNC

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168175· OSTI ID:7145864
; ;  [1]
  1. Monash Univ., Clayton (Australia)

The pathways of radiative deexcitation of the species H + C + N, which then becomes either HCN or HNC, are computed. From vibrational levels of above about 2 eV internal energy, the cascade of decays leads to formation of HCN and HNC, with a ratio of 20 in favor of the former, almost independent of the precise initial vibrational state. It is only for starting levels around or slightly below the saddle point separating the HCN and HNC potential wells that the outcome depends strongly on the initial vibrational state. The consequence for interstellar molecular clouds is that the ratio (HCN)/(HNC) is predicted to be 20. 12 refs.

OSTI ID:
7145864
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 347; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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