The Molecular Volcano: Abrupt CCl4 Desorption Driven by the Crystallization of Amorphous Solid Water

R. Scott Smith, C. Huang, E. K. L. Wong, and Bruce D. Kay
Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 909 – Published 4 August 1997
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Abstract

The desorption kinetics of molecular beam deposited ultrathin films of CCl4 and amorphous solid water (ASW) are studied. Overlayers of ASW impede CCl4 desorption until the onset of crystallization, whereupon the CCl4 desorbs abruptly. The abrupt desorption occurs through connected pathways that are formed in the water overlayer during the nucleation and growth of crystalline ice from ASW. The onset of the abrupt desorption corresponds to the threshold for dynamic percolation. As the crystallization proceeds, the number of connected pathways rapidly increases, giving rise to the episodic release of CCl4.

  • Received 3 March 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.909

©1997 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Scott Smith, C. Huang, E. K. L. Wong, and Bruce D. Kay

  • Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Mail Stop K8-88, Richland, Washington 99352

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Vol. 79, Iss. 5 — 4 August 1997

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