Reconsidering the origin of the 21 micron feature: Oxides in carbon-rich protoplanetary nebulae

Author(s)
Thomas Posch, Harald Mutschke, Anja C. Andersen
Abstract

The origin of the so-called 21 œm feature that is especially prominent in the spectra of some carbon-rich protoplanetary nebulae (PPNs) is the matter of a lively debate. A large number of potential band carriers have been presented and discarded within the past decade. This paper gives an overview of the problems related to the hitherto proposed feature identifications, including the recently suggested candidate carrier silicon carbide. We also discuss the case for spectroscopically promising oxides. SiC is shown to produce a strong resonance band at 20-21 œm if coated by a layer of silicon dioxide. At low temperatures, core-mantle particles composed of SiC and amorphous SiO2 indeed have their strongest spectral signature at a position of 20.1 œm, which coincides with the position of the 21 œm emission band. The optical constants of another candidate carrier that has been relatively neglected so far - iron monoxide - are proven to permit a fairly accurate reproduction of the 21 œm feature profile as well, especially when low-temperature measurements of the infrared properties of FeO are taken into account. As candidate carrier of the 21 œm emission band, FeO has the advantage of being stable against further oxidation and reduction only in a narrow range of chemical and physical conditions, coinciding with the fact that this feature, too, is detected in a small group of objects only. However, it is unclear how FeO would form or survive, particularly in carbon-rich PPNs.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, University of Copenhagen
Journal
The Astrophysical Journal: an international review of astronomy and astronomical physics
Volume
616
Pages
1167-1180
No. of pages
14
ISSN
0004-637X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1086/425113
Publication date
2004
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103003 Astronomy
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/af68a47e-f647-40a4-9802-736ba84bd776