Figure 5: A comparison of the infrared spectra of tholins synthesized in the gas and condensed phases.
From Photochemical activity of Titan’s low-altitude condensed haze
- Journal name:
- Nature Communications
- Volume:
- 4,
- Article number:
- 1648
- DOI:
- doi:10.1038/ncomms2649
Infrared spectra of tholin-like photopolymers at room temperature compared with tholins made from conventional discharge experiments by Imanaka41, 42. Method of preparation of tholin, bottom to top (a–d): JPL 266 nm laser photolysis (a); Marseille Hg lamp (>300 nm) pholysis (b); 10% methane in nitrogen discharge41 at 26 Pa (c) and at 160 Pa (d). An excellent comparison between longer wavelength photochemical polymer spectra (JPL: 266 nm; Marseille >300 nm) and with the discharge-made tholins spectra can be seen. In our spectra the ratio of CN to CH and NH, band strengths is different (more CN) compared to Imanaka’s data, because in our experiments far-less hydrogen is available (either as traces of H2O impurity, or intentionally added H2O or other hydrocarbons such as CH4 or C2H2). *Gas-phase CO2 residual absorption.