title: How micron-sized dust particles determine the chemistry of our Universe.
abstract: In the environments where stars and planets form, about one percent of the mass is in the form of micro-meter sized particles known as dust. However small and insignificant these dust grains may seem, they are responsible for the production of the simplest (H(2)) to the most complex (amino-acids) molecules observed in our Universe. Dust particles are recognized as powerful nano-factories that produce chemical species. However, the mechanism that converts species on dust to gas species remains elusive. Here we report experimental evidence that species forming on interstellar dust analogs can be directly released into the gas. This process, entitled chemical desorption (fig. 1), can dominate over the chemistry due to the gas phase by more than ten orders of magnitude. It also determines which species remain on the surface and are available to participate in the subsequent complex chemistry that forms the molecules necessary for the emergence of life.
authors: LERMA Université de Cergy-Pontoise, Observatoire de Paris, ENS, UPMC 8112 du CNRS, Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France.
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Dulieu
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Congiu
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Noble
authors: Saoud
authors: S
authors: Baouche
authors: Henda
authors: H
authors: Chaabouni
authors: Audrey
authors: A
authors: Moudens
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Minissale
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Cazaux
mesh_terms: D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter