A New Technique for the Measurement of Electron Attachment in Afterglows,
Abstract
A new experimental technique has been utilized for the measurement of rate constants for two- and three-body electron attachment reactions. This technique is based on the observation of positive-ion and/or negative-ion decay(s) in a stationary afterglow. The transition of the decay from positive ion - electron ambipolar diffusion domination at early times to positive ion - negative ion ambipolar diffusion domination at late times is related to the disappearance of electrons from the decaying plasma. The time of occurrence of the transition in the afterglow is used to relate the attachment rate constants to other experimental observables. The two-body rate constant, k(2), for attachment to NO2 was determined as was the three-body rate constant, k(3), for attachment to NO. The only negative ion observed in the study is NO2(-), even under conditions in which three-body attachment in NO dominates the electron loss processes; the absence of NO(-) under these conditions was investigated. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0730312
Entities
People
- Lawrence J. Puckett
- Marion W. Teague
- Mark D. Kregel
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory