| Abstract: | Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important and ubiquitous constituent of the interstellar medium (ISM) whose signature is seen in a wide variety of environments. Strong emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6 and 11.2 µm along with several weak features arising from PAHs have been extensively observed [1]. Recent detection of small cyano-PAHs has confirmed the presence of these molecules [2]. The presence of an associated molecule, fullerene cation, in the ISM has also been confirmed [3]. It should be noted that PAHs are also pervasive in terrestrial conditions.
In this talk I will review the observational, laboratory and theoretical studies dedicated to PAHs and how our perspective in understanding these molecules has evolved. I will discuss the signature (spectral) characteristics of interstellar PAHs and variations observed in the spectra. The reasons for these variations will be elaborated based on laboratory and theoretical spectroscopic studies. Recent results from our group will also be presented.
References
1. Tielens A.G.G.M., 2008, ARA&A, 46, 289
2. McGuire et al., 2021, Science, 371, 1265
3. Campbell et al., 2015, Nature, 523, 322
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