Current density effects and the importance of charge transfer processes in the radiolysis of methane - Astrophysical implications

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (4) References (17) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Current Density Effects and the Importance of Charge Transfer Processes in the Radiolysis of Methane: Astrophysical Implications Sack, N. J. ; Schuster, R. ; Hofmann, A. ; Khedim, A. ; Koppmann, R. Abstract In order to get information about the influence of irradiation parameters and the addition of inert gases in radiolysis processes of astrophysical interest, methane gas targets were irradiated with 6.5 MeV protons at a pressure of 1 bar and room temperature. The yields for higher hydrocarbons like ethane or propane were obtained by gas chromatography analysis of irradiated gas samples. A series of experiments was performed adding inert gases like helium, argon, or nitrogen in various quantities to the methane gas. Charge transfer reactions were found to play an important role in the reactions induced by the irradiation. Current density and total absorbed dose were also proved to have large influence on the yields of produced hydrocarbons. Estimations of electron, ion, and radical densities are made, leading to an understanding of the reaction mechanism and comparisons to other rate coefficients are given. The relevance of the investigations for the chemistry and the simulation of various astrophysical systems is given. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1990 DOI: 10.1086/169121 Bibcode: 1990ApJ...360..305S Keywords: Charge Transfer; Current Density; Interstellar Chemistry; Methane; Radiolysis; Planetary Evolution; Rare Gases; Atomic and Molecular Physics; LABORATORY SPECTRA; MOLECULAR PROCESSES full text sources ADS |