Abstract
The recent laboratory measurement1–3of rapid radiative electron attachment processes
A+e→A−hv
where A is a molecular species has renewed speculation on whether negative molecular ions can be synthesized efficiently in dense interstellar clouds. We argue here that for certain interstellar species A, the abundance ratio [A−]/[A] may be as high as 0.01–0.1 in commonly assumed physical conditions. If this abundance ratio were correct, negative molecular ionsmight be detectable in dense interstellar clouds if their microwave spectral frequencies had been determined in the laboratory. It will be shown, however,that this is currently an unlikely prospect.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to the full article PDF.
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Woodin, R. L., Foster, M. S. & Beauchamp, J. L. J. Chem. Phys. 72, 4223–4227 (1980).
Foster, M. S. & Beauchamp, J. L. Chem. phys. Lett. 31, 482–485 (1975).
Christodoulides, A. A. & Christophorou, L. G. Chem. phys. Lett. 61, 553–557 (1979).
Herbst, E. & Klemperer, W. Astrophys. J. 185, 505–533 (1973).
Mitchell, G. F., Ginsburg, J. L. & Kuntz, P. J. Astrophys. J. Suppl. 38, 39–68 (1978).
Prasad, S. S. & Huntress, W. T. Jr, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 43, 1–36 (1980).
Dalgarno, A. & McCray, R. A. Astrophys. J. 181, 95–100 (1973).
Albritton, D. L. Atomic Data and Nuclear Tables 22, 1–101 (1978).
Smith, D. & Adams, N. G. Top. curr. Chem. 89, 1–43 (1980).
Christophorou, L. G. Adv. Electron. Electron Phys. 46, 55–129 (1978).
Klots, C. E. Chem. phys. Lett. 38, 61–63 (1976).
Bass, L., Chesnavich, W. J. & Bowers, M. T. J. Am. chem. Soc. 101, 5493–5502 (1979).
Herbst, E. Astrophys. J. 237, 462–470 (1980).
Guélin, M., Green, S. & Thaddeus, P. Astrophys. J. Lett. 224, L27–L30 (1978).
Guélin, M. & Thaddeus, P. Astrophys. J. Lett. 212, L81–86 (1977).
Langer, W. D., Wilson, R. W., Henry, P. S. & Guélin, M. Astrophys. J. Lett. 225, L139–L142 (1978).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Herbst, E. Can negative molecular ions be detected in dense interstellar clouds?. Nature 289, 656–657 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289656a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/289656a0
This article is cited by
-
Laser-induced forced evaporative cooling of molecular anions below 4 K
Nature Physics (2023)
-
Associative detachment in anion-atom reactions involving a dipole-bound electron
Nature Communications (2022)
-
Sodium isocyanide–Helium potential energy surface and astrophysical applications
Theoretical Chemistry Accounts (2021)
-
Laboratory Studies Towards Understanding Comets
Space Science Reviews (2015)
-
Rotational spectroscopy for astrophysical investigations
Rendiconti Lincei (2011)
