ATTACHMENT AND RECOMBINATION PROCESSES IN ATMOSPHERIC GASES.
Abstract
Experiments were performed to measure the coefficients for electron attachment and electron-ion recombination in important atmospheric gases and atmospheric impurities in the temperature range of 180 to 700K. These experiments were performed using microwave transmission techniques on an afterglow produced by relativistic electrons traversing the gas sample. A mass spectrometer was used to identify the ions present in the afterglow. Electron thermalization and collision frequency for momentum transfer were also measured. Gases studied are oxygen, nitrogen, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. In the gas pressures used in these experiments (>10 torr) electron-ion recombination to the dominant agglomerated ions was found to produce electron generating and heating in the afterflow which was probably caused by inelastable molecular species formed by the recombination process. Electron attachment to NO2 was found to be affected by neutral molecule reactions, and previous values for the attachment coefficient were lowered. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0829122
Entities
People
- M. E. Wyatt
- R. Denson
Organizations
- General Dynamics