Infrared spectra of young stars in Chamaeleon

We present infrared spectra covering the wavelength ranges 3.1-5.0 mu m and 5.8-11.6 mu m for 9 young stars located in the Chamaeleon I dark cloud. Th e spectra were taken with the spectrophotometer of ISO (ISOPHOT-S). The spe ctra of three stars which illuminate reflection nebulae are dominated by th e series of strong emission features generally ascribed to polycyclic aroma tic hydrocarbons. Three or possibly four stars classified as T Tauri stars show the 10 mu m silicate band in emission, whereas another object, T42, sh ows the silicate band in absorption and could be a T Tau star with a disk s een edge-on. The last source, Cha IRN, is a deeply embedded young stellar o bject. Its spectrum is characterized by deep absorption bands due to variou s interstellar ices, but shows a very weak silicate band only.