Formulation of Non-steady-state Dust Formation Process in Astrophysical Environments

TL;DR

This paper develops a formulation for non-steady-state dust formation in astrophysical environments, analyzing how it affects grain size and efficiency compared to steady-state assumptions, with applications to supernova ejecta.

Contribution

It introduces a new formulation for non-steady dust formation kinetics and provides criteria to evaluate when steady-state assumptions are valid in astrophysical contexts.

Findings

Steady-state nucleation rate is valid if tau_sat / tau_coll > 30.

Non-steady effects reduce condensation efficiency and increase grain size.

Formulas relate dust properties to physical parameters like Lambda_on at formation onset.

Abstract

The non-steady-state formation of small clusters and the growth of grains accompanied by chemical reactions are formulated under the consideration that the collision of key gas species (key molecule) controls the kinetics of dust formation process. The formula allows us to evaluate the size distribution and condensation efficiency of dust formed in astrophysical environments. We apply the formulation to the formation of C and MgSiO3 grains in the ejecta of supernovae, as an example, to investigate how the non-steady effect influences the formation process, condensation efficiency f_{con}, and average radius a_{ave} of newly formed grains in comparison with the results calculated with the steady-state nucleation rate. We show that the steady-state nucleation rate is a good approximation if the collision timescale of key molecule tau_{coll} is much smaller than the timescale tau_{sat} with which the supersaturation ratio increases; otherwise the effect of the non-steady state becomes remarkable, leading to a lower f_{con} and a larger a_{ave}. Examining the results of calculations, we reveal that the steady-state nucleation rate is applicable if the cooling gas satisfies Lambda = tau_{sat}/tau_{coll} > 30 during the formation of dust, and find that f_{con} and a_{ave} are uniquely determined by Lambda_{on} at the onset time t_{on} of dust formation. The approximation formulae for f_{con} and a_{ave} as a function of Lambda_{on} could be useful in estimating the mass and typical size of newly formed grains from observed or model-predicted physical properties not only in supernova ejecta but also in mass-loss winds from evolved stars.