Random mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon spectra match interstellar infrared emission

The mid-infrared (IR; 5-15~$\mu$m) spectrum of a wide variety of astronomical objects exhibits a set of broad emission features at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3 and 12.7 $\mu$m. About 30 years ago it was proposed that these signatures are due to emission from a family of UV heated nanometer-sized carbonaceous molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), causing them to be referred to as aromatic IR bands (AIBs). Today, the acceptance of the PAH model is far from settled, as the identification of a single PAH in space has not yet been successful and physically relevant theoretical models involving ``true'' PAH cross sections do not reproduce the AIBs in detail. In this paper, we use the NASA Ames PAH IR Spectroscopic Database, which contains over 500 quantum-computed spectra, in conjunction with a simple emission model, to show that the spectrum produced by any random mixture of at least 30 PAHs converges to the same 'kernel'-spectrum. This kernel-spectrum captures the essence of the PAH emission spectrum and is highly correlated with observations of AIBs, strongly supporting PAHs as their source. Also, the fact that a large number of molecules are required implies that spectroscopic signatures of the individual PAHs contributing to the AIBs spanning the visible, near-infrared, and far infrared spectral regions are weak, explaining why they have not yet been detected. An improved effort, joining laboratory, theoretical, and observational studies of the PAH emission process, will support the use of PAH features as a probe of physical and chemical conditions in the nearby and distant Universe

Recent Advances in Laboratory Infrared Spectroscopy of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: PAHs in the Far Infrared

Over 25 years of observations and laboratory work have shown that the mid-IR spectra of a majority of astronomical sources are dominated by emission features near 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, and 11.2 microns, which originate in free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. PAHs dominate the mid-IR emission from many galactic and extragalactic objects. As such, this material tracks a wide variety of astronomical processes, making this spectrum a powerful probe of the cosmos Apart from bands in the mid-IR, PAHs have bands spanning the Far-IR (FIR) and emission from these FIR features should be present in astronomical sources showing the Mid-IR PAH bands. However, with one exception, the FIR spectral characteristics are known only for a few neutral small PAHs trapped in salt pellets or oils at room temperature, data which is not relevant to astrophysics. Furthermore, since most emitting PAHs responsible for the mid-IR astronomical features are ionized, the absence of any experimental or theoretical PAH ion FIR spectra will make it impossible to correctly interpret the FIR data from these objects. In view of the upcoming Herschel space telescope mission and SOFIA's FIR airborne instrumentation, which will pioneer the FIR region, it is now urgent to obtain PAH FIR spectra. This talk will present an overview recent advances in the laboratory spectroscopy of PAHs, Highlighting the FIR spectroscopy along with some quantum calculations

PDRs4All IV. An embarrassment of riches: Aromatic infrared bands in the Orion Bar

(Abridged) Mid-infrared observations of photodissociation regions (PDRs) are dominated by strong emission features called aromatic infrared bands (AIBs). The most prominent AIBs are found at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 $\mu$m. The most sensitive, highest-resolution infrared spectral imaging data ever taken of the prototypical PDR, the Orion Bar, have been captured by JWST. We provide an inventory of the AIBs found in the Orion Bar, along with mid-IR template spectra from five distinct regions in the Bar: the molecular PDR, the atomic PDR, and the HII region. We use JWST NIRSpec IFU and MIRI MRS observations of the Orion Bar from the JWST Early Release Science Program, PDRs4All (ID: 1288). We extract five template spectra to represent the morphology and environment of the Orion Bar PDR. The superb sensitivity and the spectral and spatial resolution of these JWST observations reveal many details of the AIB emission and enable an improved characterization of their detailed profile shapes and sub-components. While the spectra are dominated by the well-known AIBs at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.2, and 12.7 $\mu$m, a wealth of weaker features and sub-components are present. We report trends in the widths and relative strengths of AIBs across the five template spectra. These trends yield valuable insight into the photochemical evolution of PAHs, such as the evolution responsible for the shift of 11.2 $\mu$m AIB emission from class B$_{11.2}$ in the molecular PDR to class A$_{11.2}$ in the PDR surface layers. This photochemical evolution is driven by the increased importance of FUV processing in the PDR surface layers, resulting in a "weeding out" of the weakest links of the PAH family in these layers. For now, these JWST observations are consistent with a model in which the underlying PAH family is composed of a few species: the so-called 'grandPAHs'.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, to appear in A&

PDRs4All II: JWST's NIR and MIR imaging view of the Orion Nebula

The JWST has captured the most detailed and sharpest infrared images ever taken of the inner region of the Orion Nebula, the nearest massive star formation region, and a prototypical highly irradiated dense photo-dissociation region (PDR). We investigate the fundamental interaction of far-ultraviolet photons with molecular clouds. The transitions across the ionization front (IF), dissociation front (DF), and the molecular cloud are studied at high-angular resolution. These transitions are relevant to understanding the effects of radiative feedback from massive stars and the dominant physical and chemical processes that lead to the IR emission that JWST will detect in many Galactic and extragalactic environments. Due to the proximity of the Orion Nebula and the unprecedented angular resolution of JWST, these data reveal that the molecular cloud borders are hyper structured at small angular scales of 0.1-1" (0.0002-0.002 pc or 40-400 au at 414 pc). A diverse set of features are observed such as ridges, waves, globules and photoevaporated protoplanetary disks. At the PDR atomic to molecular transition, several bright features are detected that are associated with the highly irradiated surroundings of the dense molecular condensations and embedded young star. Toward the Orion Bar PDR, a highly sculpted interface is detected with sharp edges and density increases near the IF and DF. This was predicted by previous modeling studies, but the fronts were unresolved in most tracers. A complex, structured, and folded DF surface was traced by the H2 lines. This dataset was used to revisit the commonly adopted 2D PDR structure of the Orion Bar. JWST provides us with a complete view of the PDR, all the way from the PDR edge to the substructured dense region, and this allowed us to determine, in detail, where the emission of the atomic and molecular lines, aromatic bands, and dust originate

PDRs4All III: JWST's NIR spectroscopic view of the Orion Bar

(Abridged) We investigate the impact of radiative feedback from massive stars on their natal cloud and focus on the transition from the HII region to the atomic PDR (crossing the ionisation front (IF)), and the subsequent transition to the molecular PDR (crossing the dissociation front (DF)). We use high-resolution near-IR integral field spectroscopic data from NIRSpec on JWST to observe the Orion Bar PDR as part of the PDRs4All JWST Early Release Science Program. The NIRSpec data reveal a forest of lines including, but not limited to, HeI, HI, and CI recombination lines, ionic lines, OI and NI fluorescence lines, Aromatic Infrared Bands (AIBs including aromatic CH, aliphatic CH, and their CD counterparts), CO2 ice, pure rotational and ro-vibrational lines from H2, and ro-vibrational lines HD, CO, and CH+, most of them detected for the first time towards a PDR. Their spatial distribution resolves the H and He ionisation structure in the Huygens region, gives insight into the geometry of the Bar, and confirms the large-scale stratification of PDRs. We observe numerous smaller scale structures whose typical size decreases with distance from Ori C and IR lines from CI, if solely arising from radiative recombination and cascade, reveal very high gas temperatures consistent with the hot irradiated surface of small-scale dense clumps deep inside the PDR. The H2 lines reveal multiple, prominent filaments which exhibit different characteristics. This leaves the impression of a "terraced" transition from the predominantly atomic surface region to the CO-rich molecular zone deeper in. This study showcases the discovery space created by JWST to further our understanding of the impact radiation from young stars has on their natal molecular cloud and proto-planetary disk, which touches on star- and planet formation as well as galaxy evolution.Comment: 52 pages, 30 figures, submitted to A&

Infrared emission features: probing the interstellar PAH population and circumstellar environment of Herbig Ae/Be stars

AKs zijn alom vertegenwoordigd en bieden een uitstekend middel om de veelheid aan objecten verspreid over het heelal te bestuderen. Met name in gebieden waar zich sterren en planeten vormen, helpen ze bij het ontwarren van de grootschalige structuur. PAKs staat voor polycyclische aromatische koolwaterstoffen en ze vormen een familie van grote kippengaasvormige moleculen opgebouwd uit koolstof en waterstof. Op aarde worden ze onderander aangetroffen in de verbrandingsproducten van fossiele brandstoffen. PAKs vormen het overgangsgebied van stofdeeltjes ter grote van een micron naar moleculair "gas". PAKs zijn uniek op twee manieren. Allereerst, PAKs fluoresceren na de absorptie van een enkel ultraviolet foton, waardoor ze te zien zijn in zeer koude gebieden, ver weg van de aanstralende bron. In de tweede plaats, gegeven de complexiteit van deze moleculen, kunnen ze een belangrijke rol hebben gespeeld in het ontstaan van leven. Met behulp van topklasse ruimte- en grond gestationeerde observatoria, zoals bijvoorbeeld Spitzer en de 10-meter klasse telescopen in Chili, is de PAK-emissie afkomstig van middelzware, zich vormende, sterren onderzocht. Door gebruik van zowel beeldvorming als spectroscopie, zijn morfologische en evolutionaire aspecten van de PAK-emissie vastgesteld. De NASA Ames PAK IR Spectroscopische Database is een verzameling van meer dan 600 berekend en ongeveer 200 experimenteel bepaalde spectra. Deze unieke database gaat eind 2009 publiek. Gebruikmakend van deze database is een systematische zoektocht gedaan naar kandidaten die verantwoordelijk kunnen worden gehouden voor de emissie in twee, tot op heden, niet goed bestudeerde regio's van het PAKs-spectra.

Designing a platform to communicate posture and movement data to medical professionals

Healthcare expenditure has been on a steep rise in the past decade. Through preventive measures, the company Qinematic tries to assist the healthcare system through 3D scanning and assessing people with the help of a Kinect. The goal is to detect dysfunction in human movement and fix these issues, improving individual mobility, and with that lessen the burden on the healthcare system. The goal of this study is to develop a working web-based portal for physiotherapists and occupational therapists to analyze the 3D scans and derived measures. Simultaneously this portal should aid the therapists in their assessment of the person, allowing the therapists to improve and speed up the assessment. Interviews, observations, literature, and a state-of-theart is used to explore what is necessary to assist physiotherapists and occupational therapists in their assessment. Based on these requirements, a prototype is developed to explore how these requirements might function. Finally, the prototype is tested with therapists to validate the new functionality. During the prototype evaluation, five out of the six therapists expressed that the prototype was definitely an improvement, while the other one was unsure about the overall improvement. The evaluation of the prototype also produced additional requirements and alterations to existing requirements, which can be used for future work.Hälsovårdskostnaderna har ökat dramatiskt under det senaste decenniet. Genom förebyggande åtgärder försöker företaget Qinematic att förbättra hälsovårdssystemet via 3D-skanning och mätning av mänsklig rörelse med hjälp av en Kinect-sensor. Målet är att upptäcka bristande funktioner i människans rörelsemönster och förbättra och förbättra individuell mobilitet. samt därigenom minska belastningen på vårdsystemet. Målet med denna studie är att utveckla en webbaserad portal för fysioterapeuter och ergoterapeuter för att analysera 3D-skanningar och åtgärder. Samtidigt bör denna portal hjälpa terapeuterna i sin bedömning av personen, så att terapeuterna kan förbättra och påskynda bedömningen. Intervjuer, observationer, litteratur och en bedömning används för att undersöka vad som är nödvändigt för att hjälpa fysioterapeuter och arbetsterapeuter. Baserat på dessa krav utvecklas en prototyp för att undersöka hur dessa krav kan fungera. Slutligen testas prototypen av terapeuter för att validera den nya funktionaliteten. Under prototyputvärderingen uttryckte fem av de sex terapeuten att prototypen definitivt var en förbättring, medan en var osäker på den övergripande förbättringen. Utvärderingen av prototypen skapade också ytterligare kravspecifikationer och ändringar av befintliga kravspecifikationer som kan användas för framtida arbete