Electron Impact Excitation of N2, O2 and O and Upper Atmospheric Diagnostics with Electron Beam Fluorescence Probes,
Abstract
Characteristic emission spectra in the 2000A to 6000A wavelength range, induced by 0.6-3 keV energy electrons, were obtained for molecular nitrogen, molecular oxygen and atomic oxygen. To study the atomic oxygen fluorescence, ground state O atoms were produced in the absence of O2 molecules by the N + NO to N2 + O titration reaction. Absolute excitation cross sections were obtained for some of the prominent spectral features of N2, O2 and O; the emissions were selected on the basis of their applicability for upper atmospheric diagnostics with electron beam fluorescence probes. In parallel with the laboratory investigations of the electron beam induced fluorescence in atmospheric gases, an electron beam fluorescence probe (EBFP) has been developed for rocket flight applications in the 80 to 150 km altitude range. The EBFP is capable of measuring vibrational and rotational temperatures as well as species concentrations in the upper atmosphere. The instrument employs a 2.5 keV, 4 mA electron beam to induce fluorescence in the ambient gas of the atmosphere. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0784897
Entities
People
- Anthony A. Haasz
Organizations
- University of Toronto