Impact of energetic cosmic-ray ions on astrophysical ice grains

M Mainitz and C Anders and HM Urbassek, NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS, 393, 34-38 (2017).

DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2016.09.030

Using molecular-dynamics simulation with REAX potentials, we study the consequences of cosmic-ray ion impact on ice grains. The grains are composed of a mixture of H2O, CO2, NH3, and CH3OH molecules. Due to the high energy deposition of the cosmic-ray ion, 5 keVinm, a strong pressure wave runs through the grain, while the interior of the ion track gasifies. Abundant molecular dissociations occur; reactions of the fragments form a variety of novel molecular product species. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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