Laboratory simulation of the positron-dust interaction and its implication for interstellar dark clouds

0567741 - FZÚ 2024 RIV GB eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Wild, J. - Čízek, J. - Nouzák, L. - Pavlů, J. - Šafránková, J. - Němeček, Z. - Vaverka, J. - Nosek, D. - Burian, Tomáš - Wildová, A. - Broulím, J.
Laboratory simulation of the positron-dust interaction and its implication for interstellar dark clouds.
Astrophysical Journal. Roč. 942, č. 1 (2023), č. článku 42. ISSN 0004-637X. E-ISSN 1538-4357
Výzkumná infrastruktura: e-INFRA CZ - 90140
Institucionální podpora: RVO:68378271
Klíčová slova: laboratory simulation * interaction of cosmic dust with positrons * possible scenario of interstellar dark clouds charging
Obor OECD: Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Impakt faktor: 4.9, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access

We report the first laboratory experiment dealing with the interaction of a cosmic dust simulant with positrons emitted from a 22Na radioisotope. Measurements of a charge of micrometer SiO2 dust grains with an accuracy of one elementary charge e revealed +1 e steps due to positron annihilation inside the grain. The observed average rate of these charging events agrees well with prediction of a model based on the continuous slowing down approximation of energetic of positrons inside the grain. Less frequent charge steps larger than +1 e were attributed to emission of secondary electrons during positron slowing down. The determined coefficient of secondary electron emission is approximately inversely proportional to the grain radius. The experimental results led us to the formulation of a possible scenario of interstellar dark clouds charging.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0342108