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At least 91 records · Page 5

Carbon, oxygen and their interaction with intrinsic point defects in solar silicon ribbon material: A speculative approach

Some background information on intrinsic point defects is provided and on carbon and oxygen in silicon in so far as it may be relevant for the efficiency of solar cells fabricated from EFG ribbon material. The co-precipitation of carbon and oxygen and especially of carbon and silicon self interstitials are discussed. A simple model for the electrical activity of carbon-self-interstitial agglomerates is presented. The self-interstitial content of these agglomerates is assumed to determine their electrical activity and that both compressive stresses (high self-interstitial content) and tensile stresses (low self-interstitial content) give rise to electrical activity of the agglomerates. The self-interstitial content of these carbon-related agglomerates may be reduced by an appropriate high temperature treatment and enhanced by a supersaturation of self-interstitials generated during formation of the p-n junction of solar cells. Oxygen present in supersaturation in carbon-rich silicon may be induced to form SiO, precipitates by self-interstitials generated during phosphorus diffusion. It is proposed that the SiO2-Si interface of the precipates gives rise to a continuum of donor stables and that these interface states are responsible for at least part of the light inhancement effects observed in oxygen containing EFG silicon after phosphorus diffusion.

Goesele, U.↗

Neutral carbon in the Egg Nebula (AFGL 2688)

A search for sub-mm C I emission from seven stars that are surrounded by dense molecular gas shells has led to the detection, in the case of the 'Egg Nebula' (AFGL 2688), of an 0.9 K line implying a C I/CO value greater than 5. The material surrounding this star must be extremely carbon-rich, and it is suggested that the apparently greater extent of the C I emission region may be due to the effects of the the galactic UV field on the shell's chemistry, as suggested by Huggins and Glassgold (1982).

Huggins, P. J.↗

Size-specific composition of aerosols in the El Chichon volcanic cloud

A NASA U-2 research aircraft flew sampling missions in April, May, July, November, and December 1982 aimed at obtaining in situ data in the stratospheric cloud produced from the March-April 1982 El Chichon eruptions. Post flight analyses provided information on the aerosol composition and morphology. The particles ranged in size from smaller than 0.05 m to larger than 20 m diameter and were quite complex in composition. In the April, May, and July samples the aerosol mass was dominated by magmatic and lithic particles larger than about 3 m. The submicron particles consisted largely of sulfuric acid. Halite particles, believed to be related to a salt dome beneath El Chichon, were collected in the stratosphere in April and May. On the July 23 flight, copper-zinc oxide particles were collected. In July, November, and December, in addition to the volcanic ash and acid particles, carbon-rich particles smaller than about 0.1 m aerodynamic diameter were abundant.

Woods, D. C.↗

The remarkable ultraviolet spectrum of the planetary nebula Abell 30

Abell 30 has been identified as a planetary nebula in which the nucleus has experienced a final helium shell flash after ejection of the original, outer envelope. Around the central star of the nebula, four knots of material are observed. In view of the importance of the chemical composition of the ejected material for studies of advanced stages of stellar evolution, clarification of the physical conditions in the knots is vital. Data obtained of Abell 30 with the aid of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite are discussed along with aspects of extinction, the He II flux, ionic abundances, the C II lambda 4267 line, questions regarding the existence of a carbon-rich core in the knot, the heating of the nebular gas, the central star, and heating by suprathermal particles from the stellar wind. The UV spectrum of the inner nebulosity of Abell 30 indicates that an extraordinary amount of energy is being deposited in the gas.

Harrington, J. P.↗

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of the planetary nebula in the Fornax galaxy

The planetary nebula in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy is carbon rich, according to calculations based on measurements of the 1909 A emission line doublet of semiforbidden C III obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. The ratio N(C)/N(O) is approximately equal to 3.7, comparable to the largest reliably determined carbon/oxygen ratios in high excitation planetaries of the Milky Way. The present result is based on four low-dispersion spectra with a combined exposure time of 27.2 hours; the Fornax planetary nebula is probably the most distant known planetary that can be observed with IUE. The IUE data were analyzed together with visible-wavelength emission-line fluxes reported by Danziger et al. (1978) to compute abundances for various elements. In terms of chemical composition, the Fornax nebula resembles planetary nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds more closely than it does typical or carbon-rich planetaries in the Galaxy.

Maran, S. P.↗

The dust around R Coronae Borealis type stars

Measurements taken by the International Ultraviolet Explorer spacecraft of the stars RY Sgr and R CrB have been analyzed using Mie theory. The extinction data, which show a 2400-2500 A peak, are consistent with a distribution of 5-60 nm glassy or amorphous carbon particles obscuring the stellar flux. The data are also fairly consistent with a cloud ejection model. Since the extinction data lack the commonly observed peak at 2170 A, it is proposed that this difference is due to the conditions present when the dust condenses. Interstellar carbon grains appear to originate in normal carbon stars which are carbon and hydrogen rich. In contrast, the grains around R CrB type stars seem to condense from a carbon-rich and hydrogen-poor vapor.

Hecht, J. H.↗

Composition, Structure and Evolution of Uranian and Neptunian Satellites

Large uncertainties in the current estimated densities of all of these satellites prevent detailed modeling or predictions. Nevertheless, current evidence suggests that at least Titania and Oberon might have anomalously high densities of 2-39 cm(-3), possibly requiring almost ice-free hydrated silicates or formation in a CO-rich environment, implying presence of CO-clathrate and a small ice/rock ratio. Trition and the four largest satellites of Uranus are massive enough to have undergone significant accretional heating and early differentiation; NH3-H2O volcanism; partial outgassing of CO, N2, Ch4; formation of dark surficial deposits of carbon-rich material obtained by UV irradiation of outgassed material; and, at least in the cases of Ariel and Triton, a possibility of weak ongoing icy volcanic activity. Triton may be the largest captured body in the solar system, with an unusual history and composition, including the possibility of substantial liquid or solid nitrogen obtained from either primordial NH3 photolysis or clathrate decomposition.

Stevenson, D. J.↗

Neutron-rich nuclei in cosmic rays and Wolf-Rayet stars

Wolf-Rayet stars figure prominently in astrophysical research. As a bonus, they seem to offer, in the recent past, an interesting connection between classical astronomy and high energy astrophysics due to their unusual composition and their huge mechanical power. The material flowing from WC stars (carbon-rich WR stars) contains gas which has been processed through core-helium burning, i.e., considerably enriched into 12C,16O, 22Ne, and 25,26Mg. This composition is reminiscent of the cosmic ray source anomalies. Encouraging agreement is obtained with observation in the mass range 12 A 26 assuming acceleration of wind particles at the shock that delineates the WR cavity, and adequate dilution with normal cosmic rays, but silicon poses.

Prantzos, N.↗

AES and LEED study of the zinc blende SiC(100) surface

Auger and LEED measurements have been carried out on the (100) surface of zinc blende SiC. Two different phases of the clean surface, in addition to two kinds of oxygen-covered surfaces, have been obtained, identified, and discussed. In the oxygen-covered surface, the oxygen is bonded to the Si. The carbon-rich phase is reconstructed (2 x 1), similar to the (100) clean surfaces of Si, Ge, and diamond. The Si-topped surface is reconstructed. A model of alternating Si dimers is suggested for this surface.

Dayan, M.↗

Masking Technique for Ion-Beam Sputter Etching

Improved process for fabrication of integrated circuits developed. Technique utilizes simultaneous ion-beam sputter etching and carbon sputter deposition in conjunction with carbon sputter mask or organic mask decomposed to produce carbon-rich sputter-mask surface. Sputter etching process replenishes sputter mask with carbon to prevent premature mask loss.

Banks, B. A.↗

Characterization of biogenic elements in interplanetary dust particles

Those particles that were designated cometary are aggregates of amorphous materials including carbon, iron-magnesium silicates, sulfides, metal and trace amounts of unusual phases. Most aggregates are carbon-rich with major and minor element abundances similar to a fine grained matrix of carbonaceous chondrites. Several particles were analyzed by a laser microprobe. The negative ionic species identified to date include carbon clusters, protonated carbon clusters, CN-, HCN-, CNO-, PO2-, PO3-, S-, S2- asnd OH-. These species are similar to those observed in cometary spectra and they support the assumption that organic materials are present. The occurance of phosphate ions suggests the presence of apatite or whitlockite. Cometary particle characteristics may indicate that the component grains represent primitive unaltered dust whose overall properties are extremely similar to altered primitive dust in carbonaceous chondrites.

Bunch, T. E.↗

On the nature of the dwarf carbon star G77-61

In the present study of astrometric, photometric, and spectrophotometric data for the low luminosity carbon star G77-61, radial velocity variations are detected which have a binary period of 245 days. The unseen companion is probably a cool white dwarf of much higher mass than the visible object. The most straightforward evolutionary hypothesis is that this star has an extremely metal-poor composition, and that it accreted a small amount of carbon-rich material when the now-unseen primary was at maximum radius. This may have inverted the C/O abundance of the secondary without achieving common envelope evolution and a sorter period.

Dearborn, D. S. P.↗

IRAS 18333-2357 - An unusual source in M22

The present paper is concerned with a search for IRAS sources positionally associated with globular clusters. This search revealed a strong source with unusual infrared colors, IRAS 18333-2357, near the center of M22. M22 (NGC 6566) is a bright, nearby, metal-poor globular cluster. Attention is given to the observations, the mass and luminosity of IRAS 18333-2357, the mass-loss rate, and the nature of IRAS 18333-2357. It is concluded that IRAS 18333-2357 may possibly be a bipolar nebula similar to OH 0739-14 although element abundance arguments appear to favor a carbon-rich rather than oxygen-rich shell.

Gillett, F. C.↗

Synthetic spectra of cool stars for the wavelength range 2550-3200 A

In order to interpret the ultraviolet spectra of cool stars obtained with IUE and to determine the physical conditions in their outer atmospheres, synthetic IUE spectra of stars cooler than the Sun, mainly the Sun and the metal-deficient, carbon-rich CH stars were calculated. Results are encouraging. Synthetic spectra for the Sun over the range 2550 to 3300 A give roughly the observed level of overall emission and relative strengths or various absorption features (Fe II, Mg II, Mg I, and Fe I) although they still require extra sources of continuous opacity longward of 2650 A. Spectra of the CH stars have roughly the correct shape in the ultraviolet continuum for the expected effective temperature, although these models are problematic in that the electron density, hence H(-) opacity, is directly proportional to the Mg-Si-Fe density and the ratio of line to continuum opacity is only slightly affected by changing metallicity.

Eaton, Joel A.↗

New CO and HCN sources associated with IRAS carbon stars

Emission of CO and HCN was detected in 22 out of a sample of 53 IRAS sources classified as unidentified carbon-rich objects. The sample was selected according to the presence of the silicon carbide feature as revealed by low-resolution spectra. The molecular line widths indicate that the CO and HCN emission arises from the circumstellar envelopes of very highly evolved stars undergoing mass loss. The visible stars tend to be deficient in CO as compared with unidentified sources. Most the detected CO and HCN IRAS stars are distinct and thick-shelled objects, but their infrared and CO luminosities are similar to those of IRC + 102156 AFGL and IRC-CO evolved stars. The 12 micron flux seems to be a good indicator of the distance, hence a guide for molecular searches.

NGUYEN-Q-RIEU↗

Properties of evolved mass-losing stars in the Milky Way and variations in the interstellar dust composition

A large sample of evolved carbon-rich and oxygen-rich objects has been studied using data from the IRAS Point Source Catalog. The number density of infrared-emitting 'carbon' stars shows no variation with Galactocentric radius, while the evolved 'oxygen' star volume density can be well fitted by a given law. A law is given for the number of carbon stars; a total is found in the Galaxy of 48,000 highly evolved oxygen stars. The mass-return rate for all evolved stars is found to be 0.35 solar mass/yr, with a small percentage contribution from carbon stars. The mass-loss rates for both types of stars are dominated by the small number of objects with the smallest rates. A mean lifetime of about 200,000 yr is obtained for both carbon and oxygen stars. Main-sequence stars in the mass range of three to five solar masses are the probable precursors of the carbon stars.

Thronson, Harley A., Jr.↗

Electrical conductivity of chondritic meteorites

The electrical conductivity of samples of the Murchison and Allende carbonaceous chondrites is 4 to 6 orders of magnitude greater than rock forming minerals such as olivine for temperatures up to 700 C. The remarkably high electrical conductivity of these meteorites is attributed to carbon at the grain boundaries. Much of this carbon is produced by pyrolyzation of hydrocarbons at temperatures in excess of 150 C. As the temperature increases, light hydrocarbons are driven off and a carbon-rich residue or char migrates to the grain boundaries enhancing electrical conductivity. Assuming that carbon was present at the grain boundaries in the material which comprised the meteorite parent bodies, the electrical heating of such bodies was calculated as a function of body size and solar distance during a hypothetical T-Tauri phase of the sun. Input conductivity data for the meteorite parent body were the present carbonaceous chondrite values for temperatures up to 840 C and the electrical conductivity values for olivine above 840 C.

Duba, AL↗

Spatially resolved quantitative spectroscopy of comets

Because of their temporal and spatial variations, modern ground-based studies of comets within approximately 4 A.U. of the sun are observationally demanding tasks. Over the years, researchers have attempted resolved spectroscopy of comets covering a wide range of intrinsic luminosity. Recently this group has developed spectral and direct-imaging procedures to detect weak ion tails submerged into the comae of even fairly faint comets. Although the last year was devoid of any really bright comet, re-analysis of older dust and gas production data of the 1986 P/Halley apparition has been almost completed. The main changes are that the nucleus does make a significant contribution to continuum light, and that the gravity effect in the dust escape velocity is somewhat larger than previously assumed. On the direct observational side, spectral studies of the 1987's Comet Bradfield show it to be qualitatively carbon-rich, at least in the outer coma ratio of CO(+) and CO2(+), compared the H2O(+) with respect to Halley at similar heliocentric distances.

Spinrad, Hyron↗