Eur. Phys. J. D (2016) 70: 38
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2016-60639-2

Regular Article

Exploring a dynamical path for C₂H⁻ and NCO⁻ formation in dark molecular clouds

¹ Institut für Ionen Physik und Angewandte Physik, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
² Department of Chemistry, Koc University, Rumelifeneriyolu, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey

^a e-mail: francesco.gianturco@uibk.ac.at

Received: 10 November 2015
Received in final form: 27 December 2015
Published online: 18 February 2016

Abstract

This paper deals with the possible formation of two molecular anions often considered likely components in the physical environments of the interstellar medium (ISM): C₂H⁻ and NCO⁻. They are both discussed here by computationally following the radiative association (RA) mechanism starting from C₂⁻, H, N⁻ and O as partners. The corresponding RA total cross sections produced by the calculations are in turn employed to generate the overall association rates over the relevant range of temperatures. The latter are found to be in line with other molecular ions formed by RA but not large enough to uniquivocally suggest this path as the main route to the anions formation in the ISM. Other possible paths of formation are also analysed and discussed. The presence of resonant structures during the association dynamics for both systems is found by the calculations and their consequences are discussed in some detail in the present study.