2019ApJ...878L...7T

Mid-infrared spectroscopic observations of oxygen-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars show the common presence of dust species that have a broad feature at ∼11-12 µm. Chemically synthesized amorphous alumina (Al₂O₃) is widely accepted as the source of this emission, although it is not obvious that amorphous alumina can condense in circumstellar conditions. We performed condensation experiments of Al-Si-Mg-O and Mg-Al-O gases using induction thermal plasma systems, in which small particles condense from vapors with a steep temperature gradient. The condensates were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and observed with a transmission electron microscope. The condensed nanoparticles from the Al and O gases were transition aluminas based on face-centered cubic (fcc) packed oxygen (δ- and λ-alumina, and an unknown phase). The fcc oxygen frameworks were maintained in the condensed alumina containing small amounts of Mg and Si. Condensates from the gases of Al:Mg = 99:1 and 95:5 had δ- and γ-alumina structures. Particles with λ- and γ-alumina structures formed from starting materials of Al:Si = 9:1 and Al:Si:Mg = 8:1:1, respectively. Amorphous silica-rich particles condensed from gases of Al/(Si+Al) < 0.75. The condensed transition alumina containing ∼10% Si showed similar spectral shapes to the observed dust emission from the alumina-rich AGB star T Cep. Based on the present results, it is reasonable that the source of 11-12 µm broad emission of alumina-rich stars is not amorphous alumina, but is transition alumina containing ∼10% Si.