Physicochemical Properties of α‑Pinene in Water Ice Analogs under Energetic Heavy-Ion Irradiation.

Studying the physicochemical properties of ice in astronomical environments is crucial to understanding the chemical processes involved in cosmic events such as comet and planet formation. The physical characteristics and chemical evolution on the surfaces of cosmic objects such as comets or interstellar grains offer key insights into these processes. This study focuses on α-pinene, a carbon- and hydrogen-rich molecule, which serves as a model for investigating radical-driven synthesis of more complex molecules under space-like conditions.