Ionospheric Chemistry: Comparison of AIRCHEM Predictions with Results of Laboratory Simulations.
Abstract
The AIRCHEM code has been used to calculate the time evolution of ionic and neutral species during a 10 raised to the third power-second bombardment of airlike N2:O2 mixtures at p=2 and 5 Torr and 300K by 1-MeV electrons. To test the sensitivity of the predictions to assumptions regarding the production rates of specific atomic and molecular ionic and metastable species in collisions of energetic electrons with N2 and O2 molecules, three sets of rates currently used by aeronomists were employed, as tabulated below; here Q(X) is the number of X produced per secondary electron. The importance of Q(N2D) on the buildup of NO and NO2, and on the resulting behavior of O3, is demonstrated. Implications to the ion spectra are pointed out. Effects of assumed initial concentrations of NO2 in the 10 raised to -7 through 10 raised to -8 range are noted. Ion spectra obtained in the laboratory during electron bombardment of airlike N2O2 mixtures containing traces of H2O and CO2, at 2 and 5 Torr, were compared with the predictions based on AIRCHEM. Many features of the ion spectra agree with theory. Thus, the general ionic composition of the laboratory plasma is as expected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA024146
Entities
People
- Merle N. Hirsh
Organizations
- University of Minnesota