scholarly journals Spatially resolving the chemical composition of the planet building blocks

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (3) ◽  
pp. 2540-2552
Author(s):  
A Matter ◽  
F C Pignatale ◽  
B Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Building Blocks ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Disc Model ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Very Large Telescope ◽  
Fine Chemistry ◽  
Dust Composition ◽  
Band Spectra ◽  
Complex Chemistry

ABSTRACT The inner regions of protoplanetary discs (from ∼0.1 to 10 au) are the expected birthplace of planets, especially telluric. In those high-temperature regions, solids can experience cyclical annealing, vapourisation, and recondensation. Hot and warm dusty grains emit mostly in the infrared domain, notably in N-band (8–13 μm). Studying their fine chemistry through mid-infrared spectro-interferometry with the new Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) instrument Multi AperTure mid-Infrared SpectroScopic Experiment (MATISSE), which can spatially resolve these regions, requires detailed dust chemistry models. Using radiative transfer, we derived infrared spectra of a fiducial static protoplanetary disc model with different inner-disc (<1 au) dust compositions. The latter were derived from condensation sequences computed at local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) for three initial C/O ratios: subsolar (C/O = 0.4), solar (C/O = 0.54), and supersolar (C/O = 1). The three scenarios return very different N-band spectra, especially when considering the presence of sub-micron-sized dust grains. MATISSE should be able to detect these differences and trace the associated sub-au-scale radial changes. We propose a first interpretation of N-band ‘inner-disc’ spectra obtained with the former VLTI instrument MID-infrared Interferometric instrument (MIDI) on three Herbig stars (HD 142527, HD 144432, HD 163296) and one T Tauri star (AS 209). Notably, we could associate a supersolar (‘carbon-rich’) composition for HD 142527 and a subsolar (‘oxygen-rich’) one for HD 1444432. We show that the inner-disc mineralogy can be very specific and not related to the dust composition derived from spatially unresolved mid-infrared spectroscopy. We highlight the need for including more complex chemistry when interpreting solid-state spectroscopic observations of the inner regions of discs, and for considering dynamical aspects for future studies.

scholarly journals Mid-infrared suspended waveguide platform and building blocks

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Sánchez-Postigo ◽  
Juan Gonzalo Wangüemert-Pérez ◽  
Jordi Soler Penadés ◽  
Alejandro Ortega-Moñux ◽  
Milos Nedeljkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Blocks ◽  
Mid Infrared

Tin diselenide van der Waals materials as new candidates for mid-infrared waveguide chips

Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (30) ◽  
pp. 14113-14117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengfei Xue ◽  
Qi Zheng ◽  
Runkun Chen ◽  
Lihong Bao ◽  
Shixuan Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Field ◽  
Van Der Waals ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Near Field Imaging ◽  
Van Der Waals Materials ◽  
Field Imaging

Near-field imaging of mid-infrared waveguide in SnSe2 slabs promotes two-dimensional van der Waals materials as building blocks for integrated MIR chips.

scholarly journals Structure and Function of Multimeric G-Quadruplexes

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 3074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Kolesnikova ◽  
Edward A. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Functional Elements ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
And Function ◽  
Nucleic Acid Structures ◽  
Sequence Requirements ◽  
Order Structures

G-quadruplexes are noncanonical nucleic acid structures formed from stacked guanine tetrads. They are frequently used as building blocks and functional elements in fields such as synthetic biology and also thought to play widespread biological roles. G-quadruplexes are often studied as monomers, but can also form a variety of higher-order structures. This increases the structural and functional diversity of G-quadruplexes, and recent evidence suggests that it could also be biologically important. In this review, we describe the types of multimeric topologies adopted by G-quadruplexes and highlight what is known about their sequence requirements. We also summarize the limited information available about potential biological roles of multimeric G-quadruplexes and suggest new approaches that could facilitate future studies of these structures.

scholarly journals A mid-infrared interferometric survey of the planet-forming region around young Sun-like stars

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 128-131
Author(s):  
József Varga ◽  
Péter Ábrahám ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Thorsten Ratzka ◽  
K. É. Gabányi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Feature ◽  
Circumstellar Disks ◽  
T Tauri Stars ◽  
Band Spectrum ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Disk Structure ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
General Difference ◽  
Herbig Ae Stars

AbstractWe present our results from a mid-infrared interferometric survey targeted at the planet-forming region in the circumstellar disks around low- and intermediate-mass young stars. Our sample consists of 82 objects, including T Tauri stars, Herbig Ae stars, and young eruptive stars. Our main results are: 1) Disks around T Tauri stars are similar to those around Herbig Ae stars, but are relatively more extended once we account for stellar luminosity. 2) From the distribution of the sizes of the mid-infrared emitting region we find that inner dusty disk holes may be present in roughly half of the sample. 3) Our analysis of the silicate spectral feature reveals that the dust in the inner ~1 au region of disks is generally more processed than that in the outer regions. 4) The dust in the disks of T Tauri stars typically show weaker silicate emission in the N band spectrum, compared to Herbig Ae stars, which may indicate a general difference in the disk structure. Our data products are available at VizieR, and at the following web page: http://konkoly.hu/MIDI_atlas.

scholarly journals Cosmic biology in perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Wickramasinghe ◽  
Dayal T. Wickramasinghe ◽  
Christopher A. Tout ◽  
John C. Lattanzio ◽  
Edward J. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Spectra ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Interstellar Clouds ◽  
Astronomical Observations ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
Biologically Relevant Molecules

AbstractA series of astronomical observations obtained over the period 1986 to 2018 supports the idea that life is a cosmic rather than a purely terrestrial or planetary phenomenon. These include (1) the detection of biologically relevant molecules in interstellar clouds and in comets, (2) mid-infrared spectra of interstellar grains and the dust from comets, (3) a diverse set of data from comets including the Rosetta mission showing consistency with biology and (4) the frequency of Earth-like or habitable planets in the Galaxy. We argue that the conjunction of all the available data suggests the operation of cometary biology and interstellar panspermia rather than the much weaker hypothesis of comets being only the source of the chemical building blocks of life. We conclude with specific predictions on the properties expected of extra-terrestrial life if it is discovered on Enceladus, Europa or beyond. A radically different biochemistry elsewhere can be considered as a falsification of the theory of interstellar panspermia.

Mid-infrared view of cool evolved stars with the Very Large Telescope Interferometer

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichi Ohnaka ◽  
Thomas Driebe ◽  
Karl-Heinz Hofmann ◽  
Gerd Weigelt ◽  
Markus Wittkowski
Keyword(s):  
Large Telescope ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Evolved Stars ◽  
Very Large Telescope

scholarly journals Searching for Hα emitting sources around MWC 758

2018 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. L5 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Huélamo ◽  
G. Chauvin ◽  
H. M. Schmid ◽  
S. P. Quanz ◽  
E. Whelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Optics ◽  
Mass Range ◽  
Position Angle ◽  
Central Star ◽  
Young Star ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Very Large Telescope ◽  
Accretion Rates ◽  
Differential Imaging

Context. MWC 758 is a young star surrounded by a transitional disk. The disk shows an inner cavity and spiral arms that could be caused by the presence of protoplanets. Recently, a protoplanet candidate has been detected around MWC 758 through high-resolution L′-band observations. The candidate is located inside the disk cavity at a separation of ~111 mas from the central star, and at an average position angle of ~165.5°. Aims. We aim at detecting accreting protoplanet candidates within the disk of MWC 758 through angular spectral differential imaging (ASDI) observations in the optical regime. In particular, we explore the emission at the position of the detected planet candidate. Methods. We have performed simultaneous adaptive optics observations in the Hα line and the adjacent continuum using SPHERE/ZIMPOL at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Results. The data analysis does not reveal any Hα signal around the target. The derived contrast curve in the B_Ha filter allows us to derive a 5σ upper limit of ~7.6 mag at 111 mas, the separation of the previously detected planet candidate. This contrast translates into a Hα line luminosity of LHα ≲ 5×10−5 L⊙ at 111 mas. Assuming that LHα scales with Lacc as in classical T Tauri stars (CTTSs) as a first approximation, we can estimate an accretion luminosity of Lacc < 3.7 × 10−4 L⊙ for the protoplanet candidate. For the predicted mass range of MWC 758b, 0.5–5 MJup, this implies accretion rates smaller than Ṁ < 3.4 × (10−8−10−9)M⊙ yr−1, for an average planet radius of 1.1 RJup. Therefore, our estimates are consistent with the predictions of accreting circumplanetary accretion models for Rin = 1RJup. The ZIMPOL line luminosity is consistent with the Hα upper limit predicted by these models for truncation radii ≲3.2 RJup. Conclusions. The non-detection of any Hα emitting source in the ZIMPOL images does not allow us to unveil the nature of the L′ detected source. Either it is a protoplanet candidate or a disk asymmetry.

scholarly journals Searching for H2 emission from protoplanetary disks using near- and mid-infrared high-resolution spectroscopy

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S249) ◽  
pp. 359-368
Author(s):  
A. Carmona ◽  
M. E. van den Ancker ◽  
Th. Henning ◽  
Ya. Pavlyuchenkov ◽  
C. P. Dullemond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Protoplanetary Disks ◽  
High Resolution Spectroscopy ◽  
Disk Model ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Hα Emission ◽  
Ir Emission

AbstractThe mass and dynamics of protoplanetary disks are dominated by molecular hydrogen (H2). However, observationally very little is known about the H2. In this paper, we discuss two projects aimed to constrain the properties of H2 in the disk's planet forming region (R<50AU). First, we present a sensitive survey for pure-rotational H2 emission at 12.278 and 17.035 μm in a sample of nearby Herbig Ae/Be and T Tauri stars using VISIR, ESO's VLT high-resolution mid-infrared spectrograph. Second, we report on a search for H2 ro-vibrational emission at 2.1228, 2.2233 and 2.2477 μm in the classical T Tauri star LkHα 264 and the debris disk 49 Cet employing CRIRES, ESO's VLT high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph.VISIR project: none of the sources show H2 mid-IR emission. The observed disks contain less than a few tenths of MJupiter of optically thin H2 at 150 K, and less than a few MEarth at T>300 K. % and higher T. Our non-detections are consistent with the low flux levels expected from the small amount of H2 gas in the surface layer of a Chiang and Goldreich (1997) Herbig Ae two-layer disk model. In our sources the H2 and dust in the surface layer have not significantly departed from thermal coupling (Tgas/Tdust<2) and the gas-to-dust ratio in the surface layer is very likely <1000.CRIRES project: The H2 lines at 2.1218 μm and 2.2233 μm are detected in LkHα 264. An upper limit on the 2.2477 μm H2 line flux in LkHα 264 is derived. 49 Cet does not exhibit H2 emission in any of observed lines. There are a few MMoon of optically thin hot H2 in the inner disk (∼0.1 AU) of LkHα 264, and less than a tenth of a MMoon of hot H2 in the inner disk of 49 Cet. The shape of the 1–0 S(0) line indicates that LkHα disk is close to face-on (i<35o). The measured 1–0 S(0)/1–0 S(1) and 2–1 S(1)/1–0 S(1) line ratios in LkHα 264 indicate that the H2 is thermally excited at T<1500 K. The lack of H2 emission in the NIR spectra of 49 Cet and the absence of Hα emission suggest that the gas in the inner disk of 49 Cet has dissipated.

scholarly journals Looking for the bricks of the life in the interstellar medium: The fascinating world of astrochemistry

2020 ◽  
Vol 246 ◽  
pp. 00021
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Barone ◽  
Cristina Puzzarini
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Molecular Spectroscopy ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
General View ◽  
Computational Point ◽  
Heterogeneous Processes ◽  
Life Itself ◽  
Complex Chemistry

The discovery in the interstellar medium of molecules showing a certain degree of complexity, and in particular those with a prebiotic character, has attracted great interest. A complex chemistry takes place in space, but the processes that lead to the production of molecular species are a matter of intense discussion, the knowledge still being at a rather primitive stage. Debate on the origins of interstellar molecules has been further stimulated by the identification of biomolecular building blocks, such as nucleobases and amino acids, in meteorites and comets. Since many of the molecules found in space play a role in the chemistry of life, the issue of their molecular genesis and evolution might be related to the profound question of the origin of life itself. Understanding the underlying chemical processes, including the production, reactions and destruction of compounds, requires the concomitant study of spectroscopy, gas-phase reactivity, and heterogeneous processes on dust-grains. The aim of this contribution is to provide a general view of a complex and multifaceted challenge, while focusing on the role played by molecular spectroscopy and quantum-chemical computations. In particular, the derivation of the molecular spectroscopic features and the investigation of gas-phase formation routes of prebiotic species in the interstellar medium are addressed from a computational point of view.

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