Temperature fluctuations in very small interstellar grains

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Fluctuation Theory, Interstellar Matter, Temperature Distribution, Time Dependence, Cosmic Rays, Granular Materials, Particle Energy, Thermodynamic Equilibrium

Scientific paper

An effect previously discussed by Duley (1973) and by Greenberg and Hong (1974) is analyzed in detail. If an interstellar grain as small as 0.005 micron in diameter absorbs a starlight photon or is struck by a low-energy cosmic ray, its temperature must abruptly rise by some tens of degrees. The temperature-time curves for such grains in a typical unshielded environment are derived. Whether the temperature fluctuations can prevent growth of a grain mantle depends on the energy with which accreting material is bound. The results suggest that if the binding energy is as small as 0.1 eV, a mantle will evaporate even if its radius is as large as 0.01 micron, while a binding energy as large as 0.3 eV would allow accretion onto a grain with a radius as small as 0.005 micron.

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