Diffuse Interstellar Bands: How are they related to known Gas-Phase Constituents of the ISM?

In this brief review of recent work relating the DIBs to other gas-phase constituents of the ISM, we explore correlations between DIB equivalent widths and the column densities of various atomic and molecular species, drawn from a large database constructed for that purpose. The tightness and slopes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 2013-05, Vol.9 (S297), p.153-162
Main Author: Welty, D. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
Atoms & subatomic particles
Contributed Papers
Molecules
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:In this brief review of recent work relating the DIBs to other gas-phase constituents of the ISM, we explore correlations between DIB equivalent widths and the column densities of various atomic and molecular species, drawn from a large database constructed for that purpose. The tightness and slopes of the correlations can provide information on how the DIBs might be related to those species (physically, chemically, spatially) and on various properties of the DIB carriers. Deviations from the mean relationships can reveal dependences of DIB strengths on other parameters, regional variations in DIB behavior, and individual sight lines where unusual environmental conditions affect the DIBs. Variations in DIB profiles (e.g., wings, substructure) and relative strengths may be related to differences in physical conditions inferred from atomic and/or molecular absorption lines.
ISSN:1743-9213
1743-9221
DOI:10.1017/S1743921313015792