Detection of D2H+ in the Dense Interstellar Medium
Abstract
The 692 GHz para ground-state line of D2H+ has been detected at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory toward the prestellar core 16293E. The derived D2H+ abundance is comparable to that of H2D+, as determined by observations of the 372 GHz line of ortho-H2D+. This is an observational verification of recent theoretical predictions, developed to explain the large deuteration ratios observed in cold, high-density regions of the interstellar medium associated with low-mass prestellar cores and protostars. This detection confirms expectations that the multiply deuterated forms of H+3 were missing factors of earlier models. The inclusion of D2H+ and D+3 in the models leads to predictions of higher values of the D/H ratio in the gas phase.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1086/421265
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0403537
- Bibcode:
- 2004ApJ...606L.127V
- Keywords:
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- ISM: Abundances;
- ISM: Clouds;
- ISM: Molecules;
- Molecular Data;
- Molecular Processes;
- Radio Lines: ISM;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 13 pages