Soft X-Ray Irradiation of Methanol Ice: Implication for H2CO Formation in Interstellar Regions
- Autori: Ciaravella, A; Munoz Caro, G; Jimenez Escobar, A; Cecchi-Pestellini, C; Giarrusso, S; Barbera, M; Collura, A
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2010
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Parole Chiave: ISM: molecules – methods: laboratory – X-rays: ISM
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/56779
Abstract
We performed 0.3 keV soft X-ray irradiation of a methanol ice at 8 K under ultra-high vacuum conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that soft X-rays are used to study photolysis of ice analogs. Despite the low irradiation dose of 10−6 photons per molecule, the formation of formaldehyde has been observed. The results of our experiments suggest that X-rays may be a promising candidate to the formation of complex molecules in regions where UV radiation is severely inhibited.