Pressure and temperature variation of the electron-ion recombination coefficient in nitrogen

Abstract

The electron‐ion recombination coefficient αei in ionized nitrogen gas is investigated as to its variation with pressure (0.2 to 2 mm Hg) and electron temperature (92°K to 300°K) corresponding to various low electron energies. At 1.3 mm Hg, αei varies from about 8.5×10−7 cm3/sec at 300°K to 6.7×10−6 cm3/sec at 92°K, almost an order of magnitude difference. Discussion of the possible modes of recombination in a nitrogen gas plasma is given and dissociative recombination is found to be the most probable means of electron loss. Microwave transmission methods were used in this study.

A study of auroral coruscations

“…The respective roles of protons and electrons in auroral excitation are as yet unsettled. However, there is strong evidence [Omholt, 1959] Massey, 1946;Bates, 1954;Bialecke and Dougal, 1958;and Bailey, 1959]. Therefore, for this computation ionic neutralization will be neglected in comparison with dissociative recombination as a mechanism for the disappearance of N, + ions.…”

Ionization and De-Ionization in the Lower Ionosphere

“…The latter investigators also found a strong temperature dependence for the formation of were C^ = 10-cm' sec-and a^. 5 x 10-, a^ = 1 x 10-c« sec-, Rogers, and Biondi, 1961Holt, 1959Faire and Champion, 1959Biondi and Brown, 1949Faire, Fundingsland, Aden, and Champion, 1958Bialecki and Dougal, 1958Savers, 1956Lin, 1960 Cunton and Inn, 1961 Doering and Mahan, 1962…”