Tetrahydrogen.
Abstract
Recent theoretical calculations have suggested the existence metastable tetrahydrogen (H4) molecules (in the superscript 1 A prime state). The specific impulse of this species is estimated to be 1820s, making it a very interesting candidate for a rocket propulsion system. One possible means of producing this molecule experimentally is through chemical reaction in a crossed molecular beam is an intense beam of long lived metastable H3 molecules formed by an arc discharge through hydrogen, which provides gas phase electronic temperatures in the range of 10,000 to 15,000 C. The secondary beam of hydrogen iodide molecules is produced by expansion through a glass capillary array. The scattered products of the tri-hydrogen + hydrogen iodide collisions are measured with the help of an electron bombardment quadrupole mass spectrometer, having two angular motion degrees of freedom. This complex apparatus was put together and made operational after an extended series of improvements. Preliminary experiments were performed and the results indicated that it will indeed permit the proposed reaction to be investigated in detail.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA176778
Entities
People
- Aron Kuppermann
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology