Excitation mechanisms for the unidentified infrared emission features

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (78) References (34) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Excitation mechanisms for the unidentified infrared emission features. Dwek, E. ; Sellgren, K. ; Soifer, B. T. ; Werner, M. W. Abstract Infrared and radio observations of various objects are analyzed to put observational constraints on the mechanism which gives rise to the unidentified emission features at 3.3, 3.4, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3 microns. The results show that gas-grain collisions or fluorescence is not likely to be the excitation mechanism responsible for the observed features. Thermal emission by dust is reanalyzed and it is concluded that this mechanism can explain the emission features. A simple model in which the emission features arise in a population of small, hot, interstellar grains is constructed. These grains are very efficient radiators, and the emitting materials only need be a minor grain constituent to provide the power that is emitted in the features. The model offers, therefore, a simple explanation for the absence of these features in absorption. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1980 DOI: 10.1086/157967 Bibcode: 1980ApJ...238..140D Keywords: Cosmic Dust; Infrared Astronomy; Infrared Radiation; Molecular Excitation; Thermal Emission; Fluorescence; Interstellar Matter; Nebulae; Ultraviolet Radiation; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2) Related Materials (1) Erratum: 1981ApJ...243..677D