Abstract
A review is presented of spectroscopic and photophysical properties of possible large molecule carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). These include neutral and ionic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fullerenes, and the carbon chain species Cn, polyenes, polyynes and polyynyl radicals. Their spectral properties in the 200 – 1200 nm region are discussed and a comparison is made with those of observed DIBs, reinforcing a recent suggestion that the carriers are polyynyl radicals CnH. Rotational contours are simulated for vibronic bands of these various potential DIB carriers and are compared with observed DIB profiles. Line broadening mechanisms are discussed and suggestions are made concerning the size of DIB carriers. It is concluded that the observed DIB bandwidths are consistent with molecular carriers containing more than 10 – 15 atoms.
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