{
  "abstract": "Linear silicon-carbon chain molecules, SiC$_n$ (n = 3--6), have been detected in the circumstellar envelope of the carbon-rich AGB star IRC+10216. Here, we discuss the mechanisms likely to be at work in the synthesis of chains up to SiC$_8$ and present for the first time a detailed comparison between observations and model calculations. Using a combination of measured and postulated rate coefficients, we show that the column densities of the silicon carbide molecules observed in IRC+10216 can be reproduced to with a factor of four. Furthermore, our model calculations suggest that the column densities of SiC$_7$ and SiC$_8$ are a factor of 2--4 less than that of SiC$_6$. We discuss the influence of neutral-neutral reactions involving parent SiC$_2$ on chain growth and show that their neglect leads to a reduction in column densities of carbides up to a maximum of about six for SiC$_6$ and SiC$_7$. Our results suggest that the detection of SiC$_7$ and SiC$_8$ in IRC+10216 will be challenging but that astronomical searches should be undertaken.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.36369",
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "T. J. Millar"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa9wfe9tqz7hg.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.36369",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "aa9wfe9tqz7hg",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.36369",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.GA"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.SR"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.36369",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-26",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa9wfe9tqz7hg.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:35:50Z",
      "native_id": "2610.36369",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.36369"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.GA",
      "subfield": "galaxies"
    },
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.SR",
      "subfield": "stellar"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The formation of silicon-carbon chain molecules in IRC+10216",
  "title_text": "The formation of silicon-carbon chain molecules in IRC+10216",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:35:50Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa9wfe9tqz7hg",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": [
    {
      "doi": "10.1093/mnras/stag2050",
      "pid": "68m9sc4hmkg3h",
      "relation": "published-as",
      "title": "The formation of silicon-carbon chain molecules in IRC+10216",
      "venue": "Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society"
    }
  ]
}