Engineering topics

Palumbo, M. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Palumbo, M. E..

3 records

NASA NTRS2000

R-O-C(triple bond)N species produced by ion irradiation of ice mixtures: comparison with astronomical observations

We have investigated the effects induced by ion bombardment of mixtures containing nitrogen-bearing compounds at low temperatures. The results show the formation of a band at 2080 cm-1 in binary mixtures, NH3:CH4 and N2:CH4, which we attribute to HCN embedded in the organic residue formed by ion irradiation. In addition to this band, ternary mixtures containing an oxygen-bearing species (i.e., H2O) form a compound with a prominent absorption band at about 2165 cm-1 (4.62 microns). We ascribe this band to a nitrile compound containing O that is bonded to the organic residue. A detailed comparison of the laboratory results with astronomical data of the 4.62 microns absorption band in protostellar spectra shows good agreement in peak position and profile. Our experimental studies show that N2, which is a more likely interstellar ice component than NH3, can be the molecular progenitor of the carrier of the interstellar band. This is an alternative to the pathway by which UV photolysis of NH3-containing ices produces the 4.62 microns band and implies that ion bombardment may well play an important role in the evolution of interstellar ices. Here, we discuss the implications of our studies for the chemical route by which the carrier of the 4.62 microns band is formed in these laboratory experiments.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

NASA NTRS1995

Solid Carbonyl Sulphide (OCS) in W33A

We present ground-based observations of the 2041/cm (4.9 micrometer) absorption feature toward the deeply embedded protostar W33A. We attribute this interstellar feature to solid carbonyl sulphide (OCS) embedded in icy grain mantles along the line of sight. We have made an extensive laboratory study of the infrared characteristics of OCS in various ice mixtures. Studies of the 2041/cm band of solid OCS and solid mixtures containing OCS show that its shape and peak position are sensitive to the molecular environment of the OCS molecule. Mie scattering calculations show that the peak position and profile of the OCS band depend on the shape and size of the absorbing grain when the OCS concentration is larger than 0.05. For lower OCS concentrations, laboratory-measured bulk spectra agree very well with the absorption spectra of small grains. We have compared the observed feature with laboratory and theoretical spectra of astrophysically relevant mixtures. The best agreement is obtained for mixtures with traces of OCS in a methanol-rich matrix. This would suggest the presence of independent grain components and in particular of a minor fraction of methanol-rich icy grain mantles in which OCS is embedded. From the strength of the absorption feature we deduce a OCS/H 20 ratio, along the line of sight, of 4 x 10(exp -4).

Palumbo, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Solid Carbonyl Sulphide (OCS) in W33A

We present ground-based observations of the 2041 cm(exp -1) (4.9 mm) absorption feature toward the deeply embedded protostar W33A. We attribute this interstellar feature to solid carbonyl sulphide (OCS) embedded in icy grain mantles along the line of sight. We have made an extensive laboratory study of the infrared characteristics of OCS in various ice mixtures. Studies of the 2041 cm(exp -1) band of solid OCS and solid mixtures containing OCS show that its shape and peak position are sensitive to the molecular environment of the OCS molecule. Mie scattering calculations show that the peak position and profile of the OCS band depend on the shape and size of the absorbing grain when the OCS concentration is larger than 0.05. For lower OCS concentrations, laboratory-measured bulk spectra agree very well with the absorption spectra of small grains. We have compared the observed feature with laboratory and theoretical spectra of astrophysically relevant mixtures. The best agreement is obtained for mixtures with traces of OCS in a methanol-rich matrix. This would suggest the presence of independent grain components and in particular of a minor fraction of methanol-rich icy grain mantles in which OCS is embedded. From the strength of the absorption feature we deduce a OCS/H2O ratio, along the line of sight, of 4 x 10(exp -4).

Palumbo, M. E.↗