Contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules to the interstellar extinction curve
C. Joblin, A. Leger, P. Martin;
ApJ, 1992, 393, L79
ABSTRACT:Absorption cross sections of terrestrial mixtures of gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been measured in the visible to
far-UV range.
The spectral signatures obtained are compatible with those of
the extinction curve.
These results support the PAH model which
attributes the 'unidentified' IR emission bands to these
molecules.
Interstellar PAHs can give an important contribution to the 2175 A bump, and do absorb
in the far-UV rise.
They are inferred to contain about 18 percent of the
cosmic carbon.
KEYWORDS: aromatic compounds, cyclic hydrocarbons, infrared spectra, interstellar extinction, spectral signatures, absorption cross sections, active galaxies, far ultraviolet radiation, planetary nebulae, reflection nebulae, visible spectrum
PERSOKEY:dust, ,
CODE: joblin92