GRAPHITE, TUBULAR PAHs, AND THE DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR BANDS

Planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are candidates for the diffuse interstellar band (DIB) carriers. Nanometer-size Fe metallic particles, expected to be present during astrophysical graphite growth, are catalytic for formation of a related species—large tubular PAH molecules. We propose that tubular PAH molecules are a component of the interstellar medium. Electronic structure calculations, on a specific family of tubular PAH molecules derived from elongated C60, reveal intense electronic transitions in the visible and near-IR, which vary systematically with length. We analyze these molecules as DIB carriers within the known constraints. Subject headings: astrochemistry — dust, extinction — ISM: molecules — stars: carbon