James Webb Space Telescope Feed Post

Arxiv: Infrared Spectra of Solid-State Ethanolamine: Laboratory Data in Support of JWST Observations Published: 10/16/2024 7:53:26 AM Updated: 10/16/2024 7:53:26 AM

Paper abstract: Ethanolamine (NH_2CH_2CH_2OH, EA) has been identified in the gas phaseof the ISM within molecular clouds. Although EA has not been directly observedin the molecular ice phase, a solid state formation mechanism has beenproposed. However, the current literature lacks an estimation of the infraredband strengths of EA ices. We conducted an experimental investigation of solidEA ice at low temperatures to ascertain its infrared band strengths, phasetransition temperature, and multilayer binding energy. The commonly used laserinterferometry method was not applied. Infrared band strengths were determinedusing three distinct methods. The obtained lab spectrum of EA was compared withthe publicly available MIRI MRS James Webb Space Telescope observations towarda low mass protostar. The phase transition temperature for EA ice falls withinthe range of 175 to 185 K. Among the discussed methods, the simple pressuregauge method provides a reasonable estimate of band strength. We derive a bandstrength value of about 1\times10^{-17} cm molecule^{-1} for the NH_2bending mode in the EA molecules. Additionally, temperature-programmeddesorption analysis yielded a multilayer desorption energy of 0.61\pm0.01 eV.By comparing the laboratory data documented in this study with the JWSTspectrum of the low mass protostar IRAS 2A, an upper-limit for the EA iceabundances was derived.