Photon Interactions with Atmospheric Negative Ions.
Abstract
This research was undertaken to fill a serious gap in the knowledge of the ionospheric D region behavior concerning the photoproduction of the electrons from negative ions. The information is needed for the codes that predict electron densities and ion concentrations for radar and radio communications in an atmospheric nuclear burst environment. Photodetachment cross sections had been measured for only a few simple atmospheric species. No information was available on the more complex species CO(-)3, NO(-)3, and their hydrates, which dominate the D region negative ions. Photodissociation had not been studied at all. A drift tube-mass spectrometer apparatus was constructed especially for this research, coupled with an argon ion laser and a tunable dye laser. The study has yielded interesting and important results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA025770
Entities
People
- J. R. Peterson
- J. T. Moseley
- P. C. Cosby
Organizations
- SRI International