CROSS SECTION FOR DISSOCIATIVE RECOMBINATION OF NITRIC OXIDE
Abstract
An attempt is made to set up a model for the calculation of the cross section for dissociative recombination of NO+, namely the reaction NO pos. + e neg. yields N + O. In this reaction it is assumed that a nitric oxide molecular ion in its ground state captures a free electron of low energy and splits up into two neutral atoms in the state N(2D) + O(3P). The calculation of such cross sections is of particular interest in considerations involving the D-region of the ionosphere. The reaction is broken up by assuming the existence of an intermediate state NO* which invariably decays into N and O. Timedependent first order perturbation theory is then used to calculate the cross section for the reaction NO pos. + e neg yields NO*. The method follows to a large extent that outlined by Bauer and Wu (Canadian J. Phys. 34, 1436, 1956), but differs from this work in several important particulars. The previous work is discussed and criticized. Using quite rough approximations at the end of the calculation it was found that the cross section for 1 ev. electrons is of the order of 12 x 10 to the -16 sq. cm. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0251129
Entities
People
- B.e. Jr. Squires
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University