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Deuterium Enrichment of PAHs by VUV Irradiation of Interstellar IcesLaboratory results demonstrate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) rapidly exchange their hydrogen atoms with those of nearby molecules when they are frozen into low-temperature ices and exposed to vacuum ultraviolet radiation. As a result, PAHs quickly become deuterium-enriched when VUV irradiated in D-containing ices. This mechanism has important consequences for several astrophysical issues owing to the ubiquitous nature of PAHs in the interstellar medium. For example, this process may explain the deuterium enrichments found in PAHs in meteorites and interplanetary dust particles. These results also provide general predictions about the molecular siting of the deuterium on aromatic materials in meteorites if this process produced a significant fraction of their D-enrichment.
Document ID
20020074601
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Bernstein, Max P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Sandford, Scott A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Allamandola, Louis J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Gillette, J. Seb
(Stanford Univ. Stanford, CA United States)
Zare, Richard N.
(Stanford Univ. Stanford, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-37-44-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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