THE ROLE OF METASTABLE, NEUTRAL ELECTRONICALLY EXCITED SPECIES IN ATMOSPHERIC DEIONIZATION.
Abstract
The importance of metastable neutral electronically excited species to deionization in the post burst period is considered. Energy levels, lifetimes, production sources, reactions and depletion sinks for excited states of the important atmospheric constituents, N2, O2, O and N are discussed, and extant data on each is tabulated along with some data on minor species. Hypotheses drawn from examination of these tables are tested in an expanded Keneshea Code for numerical integration of the deionization equations. As a result of these calculations, it appears as though the deexcitation detachment reaction of O2((1)delta-g) with O2(-) is the most important detachment process at altitudes below 70 km, if its rate constant is of the same order as that for associative detachment reactions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0653516
Entities
People
- M. H. Bortner
- R. H. Kummler
Organizations
- General Electric