Dust formation and evolution in a Ca-Fe-SiO-H2-O2 vapour phase condensation experiment and astronomical implications

Abstract

Here, we report on a kinetically controlled vapour phase condensation experiment using a low-calcium Ca-Fe-SiO-H2-O2 vapour. Under these conditions of extreme disequilibrium, the condensate properties become predictable. They are amorphous solids with (predictable) deep metastable eutectic compositions. This study also shows how chemical evolution of the condensate grains will lead to chemically complex amorphous solids. The highly disordered structure of the deep metastable eutectic condensates is the very key to this predictable chemical evolution to grains with a silicate mineral composition, yet being amorphous. We compare our results with astronomical observations of dust around young stellar objects. © 2009 RAS.