Sputtering in interstellar shocks: A model for heavy element depletion
Journal Article
·
· Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)
High-velocity (approximately-greater-than100 km s/sup -1/) shock fronts are found to provide an environment where grains can be destroyed by thermal sputtering. Application is made to supernova remnants. Sputtering of refractory grains in shocks associated with high-velocity clouds leads to cosmic abundances of heavy elements, and is followed by deceleration of the high-velocity gas and dilution with ambient depleted matter. A correlation is predicted of depletion with systematic velocity. We propose that there is a residual underlying depletion associated with refractory grain formation, and a subsequent trapping of gas-phase metallic species by adsorption. Sputtering of adsorbed monolayers in intermediate velocity shocks (approximately-less-than50 km s/sup -1/) can account for a range of depletions in diffuse interstellar matter.
- Research Organization:
- Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, University of Colorado
- OSTI ID:
- 7226103
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 211:2; ISSN AJLEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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