Small-scale clustering of nano-dust grains in turbulent interstellar molecular clouds [Extended version]

Abstract

Clustering and dynamics of nano-sized particles (nano dust) is investigated using high-resolution ($1024^3$) simulations of compressible isothermal hydrodynamic turbulence, intended to mimic the conditions inside cold molecular clouds in the interstellar medium. Nano-sized grains may cluster in a turbulent flow (small-scale clustering), which increases the local grain density significantly. Together with the increased interaction rate due to turbulent motions, aggregation of interstellar nano-dust may be plausible.

arXiv comment4 pages, 2 figures. Extended version of short proceedings paper to appear in "Astronomy in Focus", Focus Meeting FM10 "Nano Dust in Space and Astrophysics", IAU General Assembly, Vienna, August 28-29, 2018

References in corpus (1)

• Clustering and dynamic decoupling of dust grains in turbulent molecular clouds