The profiles of the 3 to 12 $\mu$m PAH features

We present spectra of the 3.3 µ m and 11.2 µ m PAH features of a large number of stellar sources, planetary nebulae, reflection nebulae, H II regions and galaxies, obtained with ISO-SWS. Clear variations are present in the profiles of these features. Most of the sources show a symmetric 3.3 µ m feature peaking at ∼ 3.290 µ m, while only very few show an asymmetric 3.3 µ m feature peaking at a slightly longer wavelength. The profiles of the 11.2 µ m feature are distinctly asymmetric. The majority of the sources has a 11.2 µ m feature peaking between 11.20 and 11.24 µ m, with a very steep blue rise and a low tail-to-top ratio. A few sources show a 11.2 µ m feature with a peak position of ∼ 11.25 µ m, a less steep blue rise and a high tail-to-top ratio. The sources are classified independently based on the 3.3 and 11.2 µ m feature profiles and peak positions. Correlations between these classes and those based on the 6–9 µ m features (Peeters et al. 2002a) are found. In particular, sources with the most common profiles in the 6–9 µ m region also show the most common 3.3 and 11.2 µ m feature profiles. However, the uncommon profiles do not correlate with each other. Also, these classifications depend on the type of object. In general, H II regions, non-isolated Herbig AeBe stars and YSO’s show the same profiles for all 3-12 µ m features. Many planetary nebulae and Post-AGB stars show uncommon feature profiles. The 3 galaxies in our sample show the same profiles as the H II regions for all but the 11.2 µ m feature, being similar to that of evolved stars. The observed pronounced contrast in the spectral variations for the CH modes (3.3 and 11.2 µ m bands) versus the CC modes (6.2, 7.7 and 8.6 µ m bands) is striking : the peak wavelengths of the features attributed to CC modes vary by ∼ 15–80 cm − 1 , while for the CH modes the variations are ∼ 4–6.5 cm − 1 . We summarize existing laboratory data and theoretical calculations of the modes emitting in the 3–12 µ m region of PAH molecules and complexes. In contrast to the 6.2 and 7.7 µ m components which are attributed to PAH cations, the 3.3 µ m feature appears to originate in neutral and/or negatively charged PAHs. We attribute the variations in peak position and profile of these IR emission features to the composition of the PAH family. The variations in FWHM of the 3.3 µ m feature remains an enigma while those of the 11.2 µ m can be explained by anharmonicity and molecular structure. The possible origin of the observed contrast in profile variations between the CH modes and the CC modes is highlighted.