Related papers: The Cosmic-Ray Induced Sputtering Process On Icy G…
We study the combined impact of magnetic mirroring and focusing on the ionization by cosmic rays (CRs) in dense molecular clouds and circumstellar disks. We show that for effective column densities of up to $\sim10^{25}$ cm$^{-2}$ (where…
We present a Monte Carlo study of galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) energy deposition and its implications for stratospheric chemistry, performed with the Geant4 toolkit. Primary nuclei (protons, $\alpha$, CNO, and Si) were propagated through an…
Cosmic rays (CRs) with energies $\ll$ TeV comprise a significant component of the interstellar medium (ISM). Major uncertainties in CR behavior on observable scales (much larger than CR gyroradii) stem from how magnetic fluctuations scatter…
Recent advances in understanding of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence call for revisions in the picture of cosmic ray transport. In this paper we use recently obtained scaling laws for MHD modes to obtain the scattering frequency for…
Mantles of iced water, mixed with CO, H2CO, and CH3OH are formed during the so called prestellar core phase. In addition, radicals are also thought to be formed on the grain surfaces, and to react to form complex organic molecules later on,…
Currently ~36 different absorption bands have been detected in the infrared spectra of cold, dense interstellar and circumstellar environments. These are attributed to the vibrational transitions of ~17 different molecules frozen on dust…
We present detailed microscopic simulations of high-energy cosmic-ray air showers penetrating high-altitude ice layers that can be found at the polar regions. We use a combination of the CORSIKA Monte Carlo code and the Geant4 simulation…
CO$_2$ is a major component of the icy mantles surrounding dust grains in planet and star formation regions. Understanding its photodesorption is crucial for explaining gas phase abundances in the coldest environments of the interstellar…
Optically dense clouds in the interstellar medium composed predominantly of molecular hydrogen, known as molecular clouds, are sensitive to energy injection in the form of photon absorption, cosmic-ray scattering, and dark matter (DM)…
(abridged) We aim to predict the most important parameters for grain-grain collision outcomes for models of interstellar grain population evolution on astrophysical scales: the threshold velocity above which colliding grains shatter, the…
Cosmic rays are a fundamental source of ionization for molecular and diffuse clouds, influencing their chemical, thermal, and dynamical evolution. The amount of cosmic rays inside a cloud also determines the $\gamma$-ray flux produced by…
A detailed study of interstellar polarization efficiency toward molecular clouds is used to attempt discrimination between grain alignment mechanisms in dense regions of the ISM. Background field stars are used to probe polarization…
We present three-dimensional astrochemical simulations and synthetic observations of magnetised, turbulent, self-gravitating molecular clouds. We explore various galactic interstellar medium environments, including cosmic-ray ionization…
Irradiation by energetic ions, electrons, and UV photons induces sputtering and chemical processes (radiolysis) in the surfaces of icy moons, comets, and icy grains. Laboratory experiments, both of ideal surfaces and of more complex and…
The properties of sputtered and scattered ions are studied for ion beam sputtering of Si by bombardment with noble gas ions. The energy distributions in dependence on ion beam parameters (ion energy: 0.5 - 1 keV; ion species: Ne, Ar, Xe)…
We consider the lifecycle of dust introduced into the hot interstellar medium in isolated elliptical galaxies. Dust grains are ejected into galactic-scale cooling flows in large ellipticals by normal mass loss from evolving red giants.…
We performed kinetic simulations of diffusive shock acceleration in Type Ia supernova remnants (SNRs) expanding into a uniform interstellar medium (ISM). The preshock gas temperature is the primary parameter that governs the cosmic ray (CR)…
Cosmic rays are a global source of ionisation, and the ionisation fraction represents a fundamental parameter in the interstellar medium. Ions couple to magnetic fields, affect the chemistry, and the dynamics of star-forming regions as well…
Aims: For the first time we investigate the role of the grain surface chemistry in the Horsehead Photo-dissociation region (PDR). Methods: We performed deep observations of several H2CO rotational lines toward the PDR and its associated…
Aims: The production of molecular hydrogen and its deuterated forms onto carbonaceous dust grains is investigated in detail. The goal of this study is to estimate the importance of the chemistry occuring on grain surfaces for the…