Perpendicular HF map to the Orion Bar

We use the Meudon PDR code to explain the morphology of HF. The bulk of the HF emission at 10km/s emerges from the CO-dark molecular gas that separates the ionization front from the molecular gas that is deeper in the Orion Bar. The excitation of HF is caused mainly by collisions with H2 at a density of 10^5^cm^-3^ together with a small contribution of electrons in the interclump gas of the Orion Bar.

Infrared pumping and chemical pumping are not important. We conclude that the HF J=1-0 line traces CO-dark molecular gas. Similarly, bright photodissociation regions associated with massive star formation may be responsible for the HF emission observed toward active galactic nuclei.