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arXiv · 1304.7629

Unidentified Infrared Emission bands: PAHs or MAONs?

Sun Kwok·Yong Zhang
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Abstract

We suggest that the carrier of the unidentified infrared emission (UIE) bands is an amorphous carbonaceous solid with mixed aromatic/aliphatic structures, rather than free-flying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. Through spectral fittings of the astronomical spectra of the UIE bands, we show that a significant amount of the energy is emitted by the aliphatic component, implying that aliphatic groups are an essential part of the chemical structure. Arguments in favor of an amorphous, solid-state structure rather than a gas-phase molecule as a carrier of the UIE are also presented.

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Sun Kwok, Yong Zhang. 2013-04-29. Unidentified Infrared Emission bands: PAHs or MAONs?. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/771/1/5

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