Laboratory studies of desorption in model astrophysical ice systems

In recent years, there has seen a very rapid growth in the investigation of model interstellar ices using ultrahigh vacuum surface science methodologies. One of the areas where the application of such techniques has proved to be particularly fruitful has been the investigation of the desorption processes that icy solids may undergo in astrophysical environments. Surface science techniques have allowed us to investigate both the thermal and non-thermal desorption mechanisms that might be at play in such astrophysical environments and extract useful information on the mechanisms and rates of such process. In turn, these have provided molecular astrophysicists with a more realistic picture of the behaviour of icy grains from which to construct their models of a range of environments in which is processing and desorption plays a crucial role. This article provides a review of the literature relating UHV surface science studies of thermal and non-thermal desorption relevant to astronomy and astrophysics from the perspective of an experimental group engaged in these studies.