Calibration of a Flyable Mass Spectrometer For N and O Atoms
Abstract
Atomic nitrogen and atomic oxygen were produced in a flow system by subjecting N2 to a microwave discharge. The concentration of N atoms was accurately measured by titration with NO. The O atoms were generated by the titration reaction N NO equals N2 O. The gas in the flow sys tem was sampled through a leak into a time-of flight mass spectrometer which had been developed for upper atmosphere sampling. Various experi ments were conducted to find the optimum condi tions for the detection of these atoms. It was found that the O- atom response of the mass spectrometer was most affected by the entrance geometry of the ion source while the N-atom re sponse was hardly changed. The most sensitive mass spectrometer variable for atom determination in the presence of molecular atmospheric gases was found to be the energy of the ionizing elec trons; the optimum electron energy was found to be 16 e.v. to 24 e.v.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0410104
Entities
People
- H. A. Cohen
- H. I. Schiff
- J. E. Morgan
- R. S. Narcissi
Organizations
- McDonnell Aircraft Corporation