Lisseth Gavilan

Interstellar Silicate Analogs for Grain-surface Reaction Experiments: Gas-phase Condensation and Characterization of the Silicate Dust Grains

Amorphous, astrophysically relevant silicates were prepared by laser ablation of siliceous targets and subsequent quenching of the evaporated atoms and clusters in a helium/oxygen gas atmosphere. The described gas-phase condensation method can be used to synthesize homogeneous and astrophysically relevant silicates with different compositions ranging from nonstoichiometric magnesium iron silicates to pyroxene- and olivine-type stoichiometry. Analytical tools have been used to characterize the morphology, composition, and spectral properties of the condensates. The nanometer-sized silicate condensates represent a new family of cosmic dust analogs that can generally be used for laboratory studies of cosmic processes related to condensation, processing, and destruction of cosmic dust in different astrophysical environments. The well-characterized silicates comprising amorphous Mg2SiO4 and Fe2SiO4, as well as the corresponding crystalline silicates forsterite and fayalite, produced by thermal annealing of the amorphous condensates, have been used as real grain surfaces for H2 formation experiments. A specifically developed ultra-high vacuum apparatus has been used for the investigation of molecule formation experiments. The results of these molecular formation experiments on differently structured Mg2SiO4 and Fe2SiO4 described in this paper will be the topic of the next paper of this series.

High-resolution study of oscillator strengths and predissociation rates for 13C18O - W-X bands and Rydberg complexes between 92.9 and 93.5 nm

We carried out experiments at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility to acquire data for modelling CO photochemistry in the vacuum ultraviolet. We report oscillator strengths and predissociation rates for four vibrational bands associated with transitions from the v = 0 level of the X1 Σ+ ground state to the v = 0–3 vibrational levels of the core excited W1Π Rydberg state, and for three overlapping bands associated with the 4pπ, 5pπ, and 5pσ Rydberg states between 92.9 and 93.4 nm in 13C18O. These results complete those obtained in the same conditions for 12C16O, 13C16O, and 12C18O recently published by us, and extend the development of a comprehensive database of line positions, oscillator strengths, and linewidths of photodissociating transitions for CO isotopologues. Absorption spectra were recorded using the Vacuum UltraViolet Fourier Transform Spectrometer (VUV-FTS) installed on the Dichroisme Et Spectroscopie par Interaction avec le Rayonnement Synchrotron (DESIRS) beamline at SOLEIL. The resolving power of the measurements, R = 300 000 to 400 000, allows the analysis of individual line strengths and widths within the bands. Gas column densities in the differentially pumped system were calibrated using the B-X (0–0) band at 115.1 nm in 13C18O.Models of astronomical environments containing CO require accurate molecular data to reproduce and interpret observations. We are conducting experiments at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility to acquire data for modeling CO photochemistry in the vacuum ultraviolet. The improvement in UV spectroscopic instrumentation, both in sensitivity and resolution, provides more accurate laboratory spectroscopic determinations. We report new measurements yielding photoabsorption oscillator strengths and predissociation rates, for 12 C 16 O at 295 K and 77 K, of four bands from X 1 Σ + (v �� = 0) to the v � = 0–3 vibrational levels of the core-excited W 1 Π Rydberg state and for six overlapping bands between 92.97 and 93.35 nm. Absorption spectra were recorded using the vacuum ultraviolet Fourier transform spectrometer installed on the DESIRS beamline at SOLEIL, providing a resolving power R = 350 000. This resolution allows the analysis of individual line strengths and widths in the electronic transitions and the identification of a previously unobserved perturbation in the W(1) level. Gas column densities in the differentially-pumped system were calibrated using the B 1 Σ + – X 1 Σ + (0, 0) band. Absorption bands are analyzed by synthesizing line and band profiles with independently developed codes. These considerably improved results are compared with earlier determinations.

X-Ray-induced Deuterium Enrichment of N-rich Organics in Protoplanetary Disks: An Experimental Investigation Using Synchrotron Light

The deuterium enrichment of organics in the interstellar medium, protoplanetary disks, and meteorites has been proposed to be the result of ionizing radiation. The goal of this study is to simulate and quantify the effects of soft X-rays (0.1–2 keV), an important component of stellar radiation fields illuminating protoplanetary disks, on the refractory organics present in the disks. We prepared tholins, nitrogen-rich organic analogs to solids found in several astrophysical environments, e.g., Titans atmosphere, cometary surfaces, and protoplanetary disks, via plasma deposition. Controlled irradiation experiments with soft X-rays at 0.5 and 1.3 keV were performed at the SEXTANTS beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron, and were immediately followed by ex-situ infrared, Raman, and isotopic diagnostics. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the preferential loss of singly bonded groups (N–H, C–H, and R–N≡C) and the formation of sp3 carbon defects with signatures at ~1250–1300 cm−1. Raman analysis revealed that, while the length of polyaromatic units is only slightly modified, the introduction of defects leads to structural amorphization. Finally, tholins were measured via secondary ion mass spectrometry to quantify the D, H, and C elemental abundances in the irradiated versus non-irradiated areas. Isotopic analysis revealed that significant D-enrichment is induced by X-ray irradiation. Our results are compared to previous experimental studies involving the thermal degradation and electron irradiation of organics. The penetration depth of soft X-rays in μm-sized tholins leads to volume rather than surface modifications: lower-energy X-rays (0.5 keV) induce a larger D-enrichment than 1.3 keV X-rays, reaching a plateau for doses larger than 5 × 1027 eV cm−3. Synchrotron fluences fall within the expected soft X-ray fluences in protoplanetary disks, and thus provide evidence of a new non-thermal pathway to deuterium fractionation of organic matter.

Polyaromatic disordered carbon grains as carriers of the UV bump: Far-UV to mid-IR spectroscopy of laboratory analogs

A multiwavelength study of laboratory carbons with varying degrees of hydrogenation and sp2 hybridization is required to characterize the structure of the carbonaceous carriers of interstellar and circumstellar extinction. We study the spectral properties of carbonaceous dust analogs from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and correlate features in both spectral ranges to the aromatic/aliphatic degree. Analogs to carbonaceous interstellar dust encountered in various phases of the interstellar medium have been prepared in the laboratory. These are amorphous hydrogenated carbons (a-C:H), analogs to the diffuse interstellar medium component, and soot particles, analogs to the polyaromatic component. Thin films (d<100 nm) have been measured in transmission in the vacuum- ultraviolet (VUV; 120 - 210 nm) within the atmospheric pressure experiment (APEX) chamber of the DISCO beam line at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility. Spectra of these films were further measured through the UV-Vis (210 nm - 1µm) and in the mid-infrared (3 - 15µm). Tauc optical gaps, Eg, are derived from the visible spectra. The major spectral features are fitted through the VUV to the mid- infrared to obtain positions, full-widths at half maximum (FWHM), and integrated intensities. These are plotted against the position of the π- π* electronic transitions peak. Unidentified or overlapping features in the UV are identified by correlations with complementary infrared data. A correlation between the optical gap and position of the π- π* electronic transitions peak is found. The latter is also correlated to the position of the sp3 carbon defect band at ~8µm, the aromatic C=C stretching mode position at ~6µm, and the H/C ratio. Ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy of structurally diverse carbon samples are used to constrain the nanostructural properties of carbon carriers of both circumstellar and interstellar extinction, such as the associated coherent lengths and the size of polyaromatic units. Our study suggests that carriers of the interstellar UV bump should exhibit infrared bands akin to the A/B classes of the aromatic infrared bands, while the circumstellar bump carriers should exhibit bands corresponding to the B/C classes.

High-resolution spectroscopy of the bands in 13C18O: term values, ro-vibrational oscillator strengths and Hönl–London corrections

Our knowledge of astronomical environments containing CO depends on accurate molecular data to reproduce and interpret observations. The constant improvement in UV space instrumentation, both in sensitivity and resolution, requires increasingly detailed laboratory data. Following a long-term experimental campaign at the SOLEIL Synchrotron facility, we have acquired complete datasets on the CO isotopologues in the vacuum ultraviolet. Absorption spectra were recorded using the Fourier-transform spectrometer installed on the DESIRS beamline, providing a resolving power R > 106 in the 8–12 eV range. Such resolution allows the analysis of individual line positions and strengths in electronic transitions and the location of perturbations. We continue our previous work on A–X bands of 12C16O and 13C16O, reporting here measurements for the 13C18O isotopologue.

High-resolution spectroscopy of the

Our knowledge of astronomical environments containing CO depends on accurate molecular data to reproduce and interpret observations. The constant improvement in UV space instrumentation, both in sensitivity and resolution, requires increasingly detailed laboratory data. Following a long-term experimental campaign at the SOLEIL Synchrotron facility, we have acquired complete datasets on the CO isotopologues in the vacuum ultraviolet. Absorption spectra were recorded using the Fourier-transform spectrometer installed on the DESIRS beamline, providing a resolving power R > 106 in the 8–12 eV range. Such resolution allows the analysis of individual line positions and strengths in electronic transitions and the location of perturbations. We continue our previous work on A–X bands of 12C16O and 13C16O, reporting here measurements for the 13C18O isotopologue.

{A}^{1}{\rm{\Pi }}(v^{\prime} =0\mbox{--}10)\mbox{--}{X}^{1}{{\rm{\Sigma }}}^{+}(v^{\prime\prime} =0)

Our knowledge of astronomical environments containing CO depends on accurate molecular data to reproduce and interpret observations. The constant improvement in UV space instrumentation, both in sensitivity and resolution, requires increasingly detailed laboratory data. Following a long-term experimental campaign at the SOLEIL Synchrotron facility, we have acquired complete datasets on the CO isotopologues in the vacuum ultraviolet. Absorption spectra were recorded using the Fourier-transform spectrometer installed on the DESIRS beamline, providing a resolving power R > 106 in the 8–12 eV range. Such resolution allows the analysis of individual line positions and strengths in electronic transitions and the location of perturbations. We continue our previous work on A–X bands of 12C16O and 13C16O, reporting here measurements for the 13C18O isotopologue.