# H2 Formation on Interstellar Grains in Different Physical Regimes

Source: [H2 Formation on Interstellar Grains in Different Physical Regimes](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa247d2c2a3760193a4e66>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-24T09:14:00.023Z

Authors: O.Biham, I.Furman, N.Katz, V. Pirronello, G. Vidali

Published: 1998-07-14T08:30:44.000Z

## Abstract

An analysis of the kinetics of H2 formation on interstellar dust grains is presented using rate equations. It is shown that semi-empirical expressions that appeared in the literature represent two different physical regimes. In particular, it is shown that the expression given by Hollenbach, Werner and Salpeter \[ApJ, 163, 165 (1971)\] applies when high flux, or high mobility, of H atoms on the surface of a grain, makes it very unlikely that H atoms evaporate before they meet each other and recombine. The expression of Pirronello et al.\\ \[ApJ, 483, L131 (1997)\] -- deduced on the basis of accurate measurements on realistic dust analogue -- applies to the opposite regime (low coverage and low mobility). The implications of this analysis for the understanding of the processes dominating in the Interstellar Medium are discussed.

## Recorded benchmark results

A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage.

## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9807133>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/9807133.pdf>)