R. I. Kaiser and K. Roessler, “Theoretical and Laboratory Studies on the Interaction of Cosmic-Ray Particles with Interstellar Ices. III. Suprathermal Chemistry-Induced Formation of Hydrocarbon Molecules in Solid Methane (CH4), Ethylene (C2H4), and Acetylene (C2H2),” The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 503, No. 2, 1998, p. 959. doi:10.1086/306001

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Ethane and Acetylene Formation from Electron Irradiation of Methane Ices

  AUTHORS: Marianna Barberio, Roberta Vasta, Pasquale Barone, Giulio Manicò, Fang Xu

  KEYWORDS: Solid Ices; Ethane Formation; Acetylene Formation; Electron Irradiation

  JOURNAL NAME: World Journal of Condensed Matter Physics, Vol.3 No.1, February 27, 2013

  ABSTRACT: In this work we present an experimental and theoretical study on the formation of ethane and acetylene from solid methane condensed at 20 K and irradiated with a 500 - 3000 eV electron beam. The experiments were monitored with Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy. We observe that the electron irradiation induced a dehydrogenation of methane and a consequent formation of CHx (x = 1, 2, 3) fragments. Furthermore, in the solid during irradiation, a simple recombinetion reaction in the solid between two adjacent CHx molecules may form HC≡CH, H2C=CH2, and H3C-CH3 with a triple, double, and single carbon-carbon bond, respectively. The formed amount of ethane and acetylene increases with irradiation time and reaches a saturation value.