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Uncertainty in Estimates of Dissociation Rates of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Interstellar Medium

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Abstract

This study is devoted to the estimation of dissociation rates for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) molecules due to ultraviolet photon absorption. Four methods are used for calculations. Specifically, the rates of dehydrogenation and destruction of the PAH carbon skeleton are calculated. The results obtained by different methods are compared. It is shown that the results differ significantly, and it is impossible unambiguously estimate minimum sizes and the degree of PAH hydrogenation. The results indicate the need to refine the theoretical models of PAH photodissociation and expand the experimental basis of PAH dissociative properties.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 18-13-00269.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017, Moscow, Russia

    M. S. Murga & D. S. Wiebe

  2. Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia

    M. S. Murga

Authors
  1. M. S. Murga
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  2. D. S. Wiebe
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Correspondence to M. S. Murga or D. S. Wiebe.

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Translated by A. Kazantsev

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Murga, M.S., Wiebe, D.S. Uncertainty in Estimates of Dissociation Rates of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Interstellar Medium. Bull. Lebedev Phys. Inst. 49, 416–421 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068335622120077

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068335622120077

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