Electron impacts on pure carbon monoxide ices

Astrophy. J., 889, 57 (2020)

C.-H. Huang, A. Ciaravella, C. Cecchi-Pestellini, A. Jiménez-Escobar, L.-C. Hsiao, C.-C. Huang, P.-C. Chen, N.-E. Sie, and Y.-J. Chen

Effects of 150–1000 eV Electron Impacts on Pure Carbon Monoxide Ices Using the Interstellar Energetic-Process System (IEPS)

在實驗室中透過電子束照射一氧化碳冰晶發現大量的碳長鏈和長鏈碳氧化物在冰晶中生成。此結果可以類比海衛一與冥王星上季節性的揮發性物質如氮氣、甲烷與一氧化碳在冬季時凝華成冰帽受到如太陽風或大氣宇宙射線作用產生一次電子的粒子在極地撞擊冰晶,並驅使著揮發性物質所形成的冰塊中進行化學反應。這些長鏈化合物會在夏季進入大氣,透過光化反應形成碳氮化合物增加大氣中的化學複雜度。

Laboratory simulation shows that amount of long-chain carbons and suboxides are formed in CO ice irradiated by electrons. This result can simulate Triton and Pluto’ s atmosphere including volatile species such as nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide condensation during the winter. These ice cap irradiated by solar wind or/and primary electron produced by cosmic ray at polar can drive chemical evolution in the ice. Long-chain carbons and suboxides are introduced into nitrogen-rich atmosphere during summer, and form carbon and nitrogen compound increasing the complicity in the atmosphere through photochemical reactions.