Gilbert A. St. John

Experiments on N2(A 3Σu+). I. Reaction with N

The Vegard–Kaplan bands from N2(A 3Σu+)υ′ = 0,1 were detected when highly purified, flowing N2 was subjected to a weak Tesla‐type discharge. This excited state of N2 was destroyed when nitrogen atoms were added from an upstream microwave discharge. Measurements of the decay time of N2(A 3Σu+), when the Tesla discharge was rapidly extinguished, gave τ−1 = τ0−1 + 5 × 10−11[N], indicating that the reaction N2(A 3Σu +  + N→N2(X 1Σ) + N, was occurring with a rate coefficient of 5 × 10−11 cm3/sec.The Vegard–Kaplan bands from N2(A 3Σu+)υ′ = 0,1 were detected when highly purified, flowing N2 was subjected to a weak Tesla‐type discharge. This excited state of N2 was destroyed when nitrogen atoms were added from an upstream microwave discharge. Measurements of the decay time of N2(A 3Σu+), when the Tesla discharge was rapidly extinguished, gave τ−1 = τ0−1 + 5 × 10−11[N], indicating that the reaction N2(A 3Σu +  + N→N2(X 1Σ) + N, was occurring with a rate coefficient of 5 × 10−11 cm3/sec.

Experiments on N2(A3Σu+). II. Excitation of NO

The rate coefficient for the process N2(A 3Σu+υ′ = 0, 1) + NO(X 2Π)→N2(X 1Σ) + NO(A 2Σ+υ′ = o) is measured to be 3 × 10−11 cm3/sec. Essentially half of all de‐exciting collisions of N2(A 3Σu+) with NO result in excitation of NO. The rate coefficient of N2(A 3Σu+υ′ = 1) + NO(X 2Π)→N2(X 1Σ) + NO(A 2Σ+υ′ = 3) is measured as 1.3 × 10−12 cm3/sec.

Characterization of coal-liquefaction products by molecular-weight profiles produced by field-ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Field-ionization mass spectrometry, which produces fragmentation-free mass spectra, is being applied to the analysis of coal-liquefaction products. Using a new highly efficient and sturdy field-ionization source, samples of various coal-liquefaction products have been successfully analysed and their molecular-weight profiles determined by the integrating multiscan technique. The range of applications of this novel analytical technique to research and development of coal-liquefaction processes is discussed.

Experiments on N2(A 3Σu+). III. Excitation of Hg

The rate coefficients of the reaction N2(A 3Σu+) + Hg→N2(X 1Σ) + Hg(3P10) have been measured for υ′ = 0 and 1 as k(0) = 8 × 10−12cm3 / sec and k(1) = 9 × 10−12cm3 / sec. The total rate coefficient for de‐excitation of N2(A 3Σu+) by Hg is 1.4 × 10−11 cm3/sec.

Chemionization in N and O Mixtures. II

The rate of chemionization in mixtures of atomic oxygen and nitrogen is measured, and chemical processes leading to ionization are discussed.

Dissociation of N2 in Weak rf Discharge

It has been established that the production of nitrogen atoms from molecular nitrogen by a weak rf discharge is due predominantly to dissociation of a metastable state of N2 by electron impact.