Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Donn, B.
• Hecht, J.
• Khanna, R.
• Nuth, J.
• Stranz, D.
• Anderson, A.B.

Titel

The formation of cosmic grains: An experimental and theoretical study

Ist Teil von

• Surface science, 1981-05, Vol.106 (1), p.576-581

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

1981

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect (DFG Nationallizenzen)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Current results of a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study of the formation of cosmic grains are described. Grain formation as distinguished from growth takes place in cooling, high temperature clouds at densities between 10 8 and 10 11 cm −3, comprised of all elements in cosmic proportions. This system differs considerably from terrestial conditions and equilibrium nucleation theories cannot be used. A kinetic theory of formation is presented which depends upon the high degree of vibrational disequilibrium. Detailed, quantitative results require molecular parameters and cross-sections which current experimental and theoretical techniques are expected to provide. Experiments on magnesium silicate formation in the vapor and in a low temperature nitrogen matrix are described. The smoke, matrix residue, and cosmic grains show very similar infrared spectra.