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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Measurement and Analysis of Atomic Hydrogen and Diatomic Molecular AlO, C2, CN, and TiO Spectra Following Laser-induced Optical Breakdown
Published on: February 14, 2014
Polymorphism in presolar Al2O3 grains from asymptotic giant branch stars
Rhonda M Stroud1, Larry R Nittler, Conel M O'D Alexander
1Code 6360, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. stroud@nrl.navy.mil
Abstract:
We report microstructural and isotopic analyses of two presolar Al2O3 grains. Aluminum oxide is important cosmically, because its presence has been detected in the infrared spectra of the circumstellar envelopes of O-rich asymptotic giant branch stars and because it is predicted to be the first solid to condense in these stellar environments. The two grain structures, one corundum and the other amorphous, confirm that asymptotic giant branch stars produce both phases. The variation in structure and Ti content demonstrates that Al2O3 can condense in the absence of TiO2 seed clusters but that Ti may be important in determining the crystal structure.
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