arXiv subjects

B. M. Giuliano

Publications and source records attributed to B. M. Giuliano.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

A study of the $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}HD}$/$c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$ ratio in low-mass star forming regions

We use the deuteration of $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$ to probe the physical parameters of starless and protostellar cores, related to their evolutionary states, and compare it to the $\mathrm{N_{2}H^{+}}$-deuteration in order to study possible differences between the deuteration of C- and N-bearing species. We observed the main species $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$, the singly and doubly deuterated species $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}HD}$ and $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}D_{2}}$, as well as the isotopologue $c$-$\mathrm{{H^{13}CC_{2}H}}$ toward 10 starless cores and 5 protostars in the Taurus and Perseus Complexes. We examined the correlation between the $N$($c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}HD}$)/$N$($c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$) ratio and the dust temperature along with the $\mathrm{H_2}$ column density and the CO depletion factor. The resulting $N$($c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}HD}$)/$N$($c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$) ratio is within the error bars consistent with $10\%$ in all starless cores with detected $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}HD}$. This also accounts for the protostars except for the source HH211, where we measure a high deuteration level of $23\%$. The deuteration of $\mathrm{N_{2}H^{+}}$ follows the same trend but is considerably higher in the dynamically evolved core L1544. Toward the protostellar cores the coolest objects show the largest deuterium fraction in $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$. We show that the deuteration of $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$ can trace the early phases of star formation and is comparable to that of $\mathrm{N_{2}H^{+}}$. However, the largest $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$ deuteration level is found toward protostellar cores, suggesting that while $c$-$\mathrm{C_{3}H_{2}}$ is mainly frozen onto dust grains in the central regions of starless cores, active deuteration is taking place on ice.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Accurate millimetre and submillimetre rest frequencies for $cis$- and $trans$-dithioformic acid, HCSSH

A better understanding of sulphur chemistry is needed to solve the interstellar sulphur depletion problem. A way to achieve this goal is to study new S-bearing molecules in the laboratory, obtaining accurate rest frequencies for an astronomical search. We focus on dithioformic acid, HCSSH, which is the sulphur analogue of formic acid. The aim of this study is to provide an accurate line list of the two HCSSH $trans$ and $cis$ isomers in their electronic ground state and a comprehensive centrifugal distortion analysis with an extension of measurements in the millimetre and submillimetre range. We studied the two isomers in the laboratory using an absorption spectrometer employing the frequency-modulation technique. The molecules were produced directly within a free-space cell by glow discharge of a gas mixture. We measured lines belonging to the electronic ground state up to 478 GHz, with a total number of 204 and 139 new rotational transitions, respectively, for $trans$ and $cis$ isomers. The final dataset also includes lines in the centimetre range available from literature. The extension of the measurements in the mm and submm range lead to an accurate set of rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters. This allows us to predict frequencies with estimated uncertainties as low as 5 kHz at 1 mm wavelength. Hence, the new dataset provided by this study can be used for astronomical search.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

The observed chemical structure of L1544

Prior to star formation, pre-stellar cores accumulate matter towards the centre. As a consequence, their central density increases while the temperature decreases. Understanding the evolution of the chemistry and physics in this early phase is crucial to study the processes governing the formation of a star. We aim at studying the chemical differentiation of a prototypical pre-stellar core, L1544, by detailed molecular maps. In contrast with single pointing observations, we performed a deep study on the dependencies of chemistry on physical and external conditions. We present the emission maps of 39 different molecular transitions belonging to 22 different molecules in the central 6.25 arcmin$^2$ of L1544. We classified our sample in five families, depending on the location of their emission peaks within the core. Furthermore, to systematically study the correlations among different molecules, we have performed the principal component analysis (PCA) on the integrated emission maps. The PCA allows us to reduce the amount of variables in our dataset. Finally, we compare the maps of the first three principal components with the H$_2$ column density map, and the T$_{dust}$ map of the core. The results of our qualitative analysis is the classification of the molecules in our dataset in the following groups: (i) the $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ family (carbon chain molecules), (ii) the dust peak family (nitrogen-bearing species), (iii) the methanol peak family (oxygen-bearing molecules), (iv) the HNCO peak family (HNCO, propyne and its deuterated isotopologues). Only HC$^{18}$O$^+$ and $^{13}$CS do not belong to any of the above mentioned groups. The principal component maps allow us to confirm the (anti-)correlations among different families that were described in a first qualitative analysis, but also points out the correlation that could not be inferred before.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Investigation of HNCO isomers formation in ice mantles by UV and thermal processing: an experimental approach

Current gas phase models do not account for the abundances of HNCO isomers detected in various environments, suggesting a formation in icy grain mantles. We attempted to study a formation channel of HNCO and its possible isomers by vacuum-UV photoprocessing of interstellar ice analogues containing H$_2$O, NH$_3$, CO, HCN, CH$_3$OH, CH$_4$, and N$_2$ followed by warm-up, under astrophysically relevant conditions. Only the H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO and H$_2$O:HCN ice mixtures led to the production of HNCO species. The possible isomerization of HNCO to its higher energy tautomers following irradiation or due to ice warm-up has been scrutinized. The photochemistry and thermal chemistry of H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO and H$_2$O:HCN ices was simulated using the Interstellar Astrochemistry Chamber (ISAC), a state-of-the-art ultra-high-vacuum setup. The ice was monitored in situ by Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy in transmittance. A quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) detected the desorption of the molecules in the gas phase. UV-photoprocessing of H$_2$O:NH$_3$:CO/H$_2$O:HCN ices lead to the formation of OCN$^-$ as main product in the solid state and a minor amount of HNCO. The second isomer HOCN has been tentatively identified. Despite its low efficiency, the formation of HNCO and the HOCN isomers by UV-photoprocessing of realistic simulated ice mantles, might explain the observed abundances of these species in PDRs, hot cores, and dark clouds.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Interstellar ice analogs: band strengths of H$_2$O, CO$_2$, CH$_3$OH, and NH$_3$ in the far-infrared region

We measure the band strengths in the far-infrared region of interstellar ice analogs of astrophysically relevant species, such as H$_2$O, CO$_2$, CH$_3$OH, and NH$_3$, deposited at low temperature (8-10 $\mathrm{K}$), followed by warm-up, to induce amorphous-crystalline phase transitions when relevant. The spectra of pure H$_2$O, NH$_3$, and CH$_3$OH ices have been measured in the near-, mid- and far-infrared spectroscopic regions using the Interstellar Astrochemistry Chamber (ISAC) ultra-high-vacuum setup. In addition, far-infrared spectra of NH$_3$ and CO$_2$ were measured using a different set-up equipped with a bolometer detector. Band strengths in the far-infrared region were estimated using the corresponding near- and mid-infrared values as a reference. We also performed theoretical calculations of the amorphous and crystalline structures of these molecules using solid state computational programs at density functional theory (DFT) level. Vibrational assignment and mode intensities for these ices were predicted. Infrared band strengths in the 25-500 $μ$m range have been determined for the considered ice samples by direct comparison in the near- and mid-infrared regions. Our values were compared to those we calculated from the literature complex index of refraction. We found differences of a factor of two between the two sets of values. The calculated far-infrared band strengths provide a benchmark for interpreting the observational data from future space telescope missions, allowing the estimation of the ice column densities.

astro-ph.IM↗