Definition
Radiolysis refers to the dissociation of molecules by nuclear radiation (e.g., by alpha particles = helium nuclei).
In astrochemistry, radiolysis occurs in the gas phase by interaction with cosmic rays and in the solid phase through the impact of these cosmic rays with the grain materials, particularly the ice mantles.
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© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Charnley, S.B. (2015). Radiolysis. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_1344
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_1344
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44184-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44185-5
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