Production and loss of N 2 + , Ne+ and Ne 2 + during the decay period of plasmas produced in neon-nitrogen mixtures

Studies of the time dependencies of the number density of N ₂ ⁺ , Ne⁺ and Ne ₂ ⁺ ions have been made during the decay period of plasmas produced in neon containing various concentrations of nitrogen molecules. Reaction rate constants were obtained for N ₂ ⁺ +N₂+Ne→N ₄ ⁺ +Ne((1.2±0.2)×10^?29 cm⁶ sec^?1) and Ne⁺+N₂→N ₂ ⁺ + Ne ((2.9±0.3) × 10^?12 cm³ sec^?1). The ambipolar diffusion coefficient of N ₂ ⁺ in neon was found to beD _a p _o =350±20 cm² sec^?1 Torr.