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Vapour pressure of amorphous H2O ice and its astrophysical implications

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Abstract

Because an understanding of the physical properties of vapour-deposited amorphous H2O, Ias, is important for the discussion of the evolution of the Solar System1–3, they have been extensively studied4–9. In particular, the importance of vapour pressure of Ias for the production rate of H2O gas from a new comet has been realized10,11; but there has been no previous measurement of this. Here we present the results of experiments demonstrating that the vapour pressure of Ias is one or two orders of magnitude larger than that of crystalline H2O and depends greatly on the condensation temperature, Tc, and the rate of condensation, R. We also discuss the evaporation of Ias in space.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060, Japan

    Akira Kouchi

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  1. Akira Kouchi
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Kouchi, A. Vapour pressure of amorphous H2O ice and its astrophysical implications. Nature 330, 550–552 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330550a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/330550a0

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