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Saito, Shuji

Publications and source records attributed to Saito, Shuji.

Detection of a new interstellar molecule, H2CN

We have detected a new interstellar molecule, H2CN (methylene amidogen), in the cold, dark molecular cloud TMC-1. The column density of H2CN is estimated to be approximately 1.5 x 10(exp 11) cm(exp -2) by assuming an excitation temperature of 5 K. This column density corresponds to a fractional abundance relative to H2 of approximately 1.5 x 10(exp -11). This value is more than three orders of magnitude less than the abundance of the related molecule HCN in TMC-1. We also report a tentative detection of H2CN in Sgr B2(N). The formation mechanism of H2CN is discussed. Our detection of the N2CN molecule may suggest the existence of a new series of carbon-chain molecules, CH2C(n)N (N = 0, 1, 2, ...).

Ohishi, Masatoshi↗

Observations of cumulene carbenes, H2CCCC and H2CCC, in TMC-1

Attention is given to the carbon chain molecule H2CCCC, detected in the dark cloud TMC-1 for the first time in the course of a molecular line survey using the Nobeyama 45-m telescope. From nine transitions observed in the frequency region of 17-45 GHz, the total column density of H2CCCC in TMC-1 is derived to be 7.5(+/-2.0) x 10 exp 12/sq cm, which is about half of the value reported in IRC + 10216. Five transitions of a related carbon chain molecule, H2CCC, were also detected in TMC-1. The column density of H2CCC obtained in TMC-1, 2.8(+/-0.9) x 10 exp 12/sq cm, is a factor of three smaller than that of H2CCCC. The ortho-to-para abundance ratios of H2CCCC and H2CCC were found to be 4.2 +/-1.5 and 5.9 +/-2.0, respectively. The chemical reactions of these carbon-chain molecules in dark clouds are discussed.

Kawaguchi, Kentarou↗

Detection of a new circumstellar carbon chain molecule, C4Si

A new interstellar carbon chain molecule, C4Si, has been detected in the envelope of the evolved star IRC + 10216. This molecule is the carrier of six unidentified lines which had been detected during the molecular line survey at Nobeyama Radio Observatory. The identification was made through astronomical detections followed by quantum chemical calculations and laboratory spectroscopic experiments. The rotational constant and the centrifugal distortion constant were B(0) = 1533.77206(146) MHz and D(0) = 0.00005827(35) MHz, respectively, where the numbers in parentheses represent one standard deviation in units of the last significant digits. The rotation temperature and the column density were 15 + or - 2 K and (7 + or - 1) x 10 to the 12th/sq cm, respectively, assuming a source size of 25 arcsec.

Ohishi, Masatoshi↗

Laboratory detection of a new interstellar free radical CH2CN(2B1)

An asymmetric-top free radical CH2CN with a 2B1 ground state was detected by laboratory microwave spectroscopy. The radical was produced in a free-space absorption cell by a DC glow discharge in pure CH3CN gas. About 60 fine-structure components were observed for the N = 11-10 to 14-13 a-type rotational transitions in the frequency region of 220-260 GHz. Hyperfine resolved components for the N = 4-3 and 5-4 transitions were resolved in the 80 and 100 GHz regions, respectively. Molecular constants were determined and U100602 and U80484 from Sgr B2, and U40240 and U20120 from TMC-1 were assigned to the N = 5-4, 4-3, 2-1, and 1-0 transitions with K(-1) = 0 of the CH2CN radical.

Saito, Shuji↗