Polymerization induced on interstellar grains by low-energy cosmic rays

Abstract

For the first time we have experimentally measured the cross-section for the polymerization induced by energetic particles colliding with frozen carbon-rich molecular solids. On this basis we show that carbon-containing molecules in icy mantles on interstellar grains can be totally polymerized by low-energy cosmic rays in a time less than the estimated lifetime of dust clouds.