Interstellar gas, dust and diffuse bands in the SMC

Abstract

Aims.In order to gain new insight into the unidentified identity of the diffuse interstellar band (DIB) carriers, this paper describes research into possible links between the shape of the interstellar extinction curve (including the 2175 Å bump and far-UV rise), the presence or absence of DIBs, and physical and chemical conditions of the diffuse interstellar medium (gas and dust) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).