Radio Recombination Line Maser Objects: New Detections with the SMA

Abstract

AbstractHydrogen radio recombination line (RRL) masers are a rare phenomenon in star forming regions. Since RRL masers were first detected in 1989 toward the emission line star MWC349A, several single-dish surveys at millimeter wavelengths have been carried out to detect other RRL maser objects. However, although RRL maser amplification is expected to appear at wavelengths <2mm, MWC349A still remains as the only RRL maser object known to date. In this contribution, I will present our recent findings of two new RRL maser objects with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) toward the massive star forming regions Cepheus A HW2 and MonR2-IRS2. Sub-millimeter observations with interferometers such as the SMA and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) open the possibility to detect a much larger sample of RRL maser objects, where very detailed information about the kinematics and physical structure of the innermost ionized regions can be obtained toward these objects.