RECOMBINATION OF MOLECULAR POSITIVE IONS WITH ELECTRONS,
Abstract
Results of studies of the recombination of electrons with molecular positive ions are presented. Theoretical arguments indicate that the dissociative process -- in which a molecular ion captures an electron without change of energy, forming an unstable excited molecule which then dissociates -- provides a highly efficient recombination mechanism. The nature of the process responsible for the large recombination rates observed in Laboratory afterglow studies is investigated using combined microwave, optical spectrometric and interferometric, and mass spectrographic techniques. Dissociative recombination is shown to be the process operative in the laboratory studies, since it is found that (a) molecular positive ions must be present to observe a large recombination rate, (b) when diatomic ions are present, excited atoms are formed in the recombination process, and (c) these excited atoms have kinetic energy of dissociation substantially in excess of thermal energy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0434907
Entities
People
- C. S. Weller
- M. A. Biondi
- T. R. Connor
- W. H. Kasner
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh