Comparison of reaction rates for helium plasmas calculated using nonequilibrium and equilibrium electron energy distribution functions

The electron energy distribution functions for helium plasmas have been calculated using the Boltzmann equation. Three characteristic temperatures of these distribution functions have been determined (from mean energy, the Einstein formula, and the logarithmic slope). The reaction rates for nonequilibrium and three equilibrium (corresponding to these three characteristic temperatures) distribution functions have been calculated and compared We have found that the use of equilibrium values for reaction rates of processes going from the ground state can lead to great errors in results, the use of equilibrium values for processes going from higher levels is possible for higher reduced electric fields, and there is no problem with using equilibrium values. for superelastic processes.     

A parametric study of electron energy distribution functions and rate and transport coefficients in nonequilibrium helium plasmas

Electron energy distribution functions in helium plasmas have been calculated by solving the Boltzmann equation at given values of reduced electric field, in the presence of superelastic and electron-electron collisions. Analytical expressions have been found connecting macroscopic coefficients to reduced electric field E/N, relative metastable concentration [He(2³S)]/N, and degree of ionization n_e/N.     

Electron correlation and charge density study of N2 and O2 by high energy electron scattering

The differential elastic scattering cross sections of N₂ and O₂ for 29 keV electrons have been measured. The experiment was performed using a Möllenstedt type energy analyzer to isolate the elastically scattered electrons. The difference between the measured results and calculations from molecular Hartree-Fock wave functions reveals the electron correlation in the molecules. Using the previously measured total scattering data, the inelastic scattering cross sections are derived. Several potential energies of the target are evaluated from the cross sections. Results at small angles are analyzed in terms of molecular moments and diamagnetic susceptibilities. The scattering behavior at small angles of the N₂ measurement agrees well with several ab initio calculations.     

Kinetic energy spectra of N2+ photofragments in the laser photodissociation of N2O+

Using a ZAB-2F double-focusing mass spectrometer together with an argon-ion laser, the kinetic energy spectra of N₂⁺ photofragments from the photodissociation of N₂O⁺ have been measured at wavelengths 514.5, 496.5, 488.0 and 476.5 nm in the visible region of the spectrum. Energies released in the centre-of-mass frame of reference are given. From the results it is deduced that the states involved in the absorption and dissociation processes ar probably N₂O⁺(B̃²Π) v ⩾ 3 and N₂O⁺ (C̃²Σ⁺) v ⩾ 0, respectively.     

Dissociative ionization of O2 and N2 by electron impact — N+ and O+ kinetic energies and angular distributions

An apparatus containing cross molecular and pulsed electron beams has been used to obtain distributions in kinetic energy and angle of fast (? 0.5 eV) positive ions produced through dissociative ionization of N₂ and O₂ by impact of 50 to 2000 eV electrons. Four main O⁺ ion groups are observed with peak energies of 0.8, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 eV. Two main N⁺ groups peaking at 2.0 and 3.0 eV are seen. Angular distributions of both N⁺ and O⁺ ions are essentially isotropic for electron-beam-ion detection angles from 30° to 110°.     

N2 rotational energy distributions in cold,supersonic beams from electron excited fluorescence measurements of N+2

Ground-state rotational energy distributions of N₂ molecules produced in pure and He-seeded supersonic expansions have been determined by measurements of the N⁺₂ first negative band rotational line intensities produced by 800 eV electron impact on cooled pure and He-seeded N₂ supersonic beams. Sufficient spectral resolution was employed to resolve completely both P and R branches of the first negative bands. Rotational state distributions were obtained to much higher values of J than in previous investigations. The data show that at 800 eV, the electric dipole selection rule, |ΔJ| = 1, is consistent with the observed N⁺₂ emission bands and that the rotational energy distributions produced in the cooled, supersonic beam are non-Boltzmann with a large population in the first few rotational states followed by a long, high-energy fail to quite high J values.     

The reactions of isotopically labeled N15NO+ with CO,NO, O2, N2, NO2, and N2O

The reactions of labeled N¹⁵NO⁺ with CO, NO, O₂, ¹⁸O₂, N₂, NO₂, and N₂O have been investigated using a tandem ICR instrument. In each case the total rate coefficient, product distribution, and kinetic energy dependence were measured. The results indicate that very specific reaction mechanisms govern these reactions. This conclusion is suggested by the lack of isotopic scrambling in many cases and by the complete absence of energetically allowed products in almost all of the systems. The kinetic energy studies indicate that most of the reaction channels proceed through an intermediate complex at low energies and via a direct mechanism at higher kinetic energies. Such direct mechanisms include long range charge transfer and atom or ion transfer.     

Guided ion beam studies of the reactions of O+, O 2 + , N+ and N 2 + with silane

Guided ion beam mass spectrometry is used to measure the cross sections as a function of kinetic energy for reaction of SiH₄ with O⁺(⁴S), O ₂ ⁺ (²Π_g,v=0), N⁺(³P), and N ₂ ⁺ (²Σ _g ⁺ ,v=0). All four ions react with silane by dissociative charge-transfer to form SiH _m ⁺ (m=0?3), and all but N ₂ ⁺ also form SiXH _m ⁺ products where (m=0?3) andX=O, O₂ or N. The overall reactivity of the O⁺, O ₂ ⁺ , and N⁺ systems show little dependence on kinetic energy, but for the case of N ₂ ⁺ , the reaction probability and product distribution relies heavily on the kinetic energy of the system. The present results are compared with those previously reported for reactions of the rare gas ions with silane [13] and are discussed in terms of vertical ionization from the 1t ₂ and 3a ₁ bands of SiH₄. Thermal reaction rates are also provided and dicussed.     

A kinetic study of the reactions of Ca+ ions with O3, O2, N2, CO2 and H2O

The reactions between Ca(+)(4(2)S(1/2)) and O(3), O(2), N(2), CO(2) and H(2)O were studied using two techniques: the pulsed laser photo-dissociation at 193 nm of an organo-calcium vapour, followed by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of Ca(+) at 393.37 nm (Ca(+)(4(2)P(3/2)-4(2)S(1/2))); and the pulsed laser ablation at 532 nm of a calcite target in a fast flow tube, followed by mass spectrometric detection of Ca(+). The rate coefficient for the reaction with O(3) is essentially independent of temperature, k(189-312 K) = (3.9 +/- 1.2) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and is about 35% of the Langevin capture frequency. One reason for this is that there is a lack of correlation between the reactant and product potential energy surfaces for near coplanar collisions. The recombination reactions of Ca(+) with O(2), CO(2) and H(2)O were found to be in the fall-off region over the experimental pressure range (1-80 Torr). The data were fitted by RRKM theory combined with quantum calculations on CaO(2)(+), Ca(+).CO(2) and Ca(+).H(2)O, yielding the following results with He as third body when extrapolated from 10(-3)-10(3) Torr and a temperature range of 100-1500 K. For Ca(+) + O(2): log(10)(k(rec,0)/cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1)) = -26.16 - 1.113log(10)T- 0.056log(10)(2)T, k(rec,infinity) = 1.4 x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(c) = 0.56. For Ca(+) + CO(2): log(10)(k(rec,0)/ cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1)) = -27.94 + 2.204log(10)T- 1.124log(10)(2)T, k(rec,infinity) = 3.5 x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(c) = 0.60. For Ca(+) + H(2)O: log(10)(k(rec,0)/ cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1)) = -23.88 - 1.823log(10)T- 0.063log(10)(2)T, k(rec,infinity) = 7.3 x 10(-11)exp(830 J mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(c) = 0.50 (F(c) is the broadening factor). A classical trajectory analysis of the Ca(+) + CO(2) reaction is then used to investigate the small high pressure limiting rate coefficient, which is significantly below the Langevin capture frequency. Finally, the implications of these results for calcium chemistry in the mesosphere are discussed.     

A kinetic study of the reactions of Fe+ with N2O, N2, O2, CO2 and H2O, and the ligand-switching reactions Fe+.X + Y --> Fe+.Y + X (X = N2, O2, CO2; Y = O2, H2O)

A series of reactions involving Fe(+) ions were studied by the pulsed laser ablation of an iron target, with detection of ions by quadrupole mass spectrometry at the downstream end of a fast flow tube. The reactions of Fe(+) with N(2)O, N(2) and O(2) were studied in order to benchmark this new technique. Extending measurements of the rate coefficient for Fe(+) + N(2)O from 773 K to 185 K shows that the reaction exhibits marked non-Arrhenius behaviour, which appears to be explained by excitation of the N(2)O bending vibrational modes. The recombination of Fe(+) with CO(2) and H(2)O in He was then studied over a range of pressure and temperature. The data were fitted by RRKM theory combined with ab initio quantum calculations on Fe(+).CO(2) and Fe(+).H(2)O, yielding the following results (120-400 K and 0-10(3) Torr). For Fe(+) + CO(2): k(rec,0) = 1.0 x 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-2.31) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1); k(rec,infinity) = 8.1 x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). For Fe(+) + H(2)O: k(rec,0) = 5.3 x 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-2.02) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1); k(rec,infinity) = 2.1 x 10(-9) (T/300 K)(-0.41) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The uncertainty in these rate coefficients is determined using a Monte Carlo procedure. A series of exothermic ligand-switching reactions were also studied at 294 K: k(Fe(+).N(2) + O(2)) = (3.17 +/- 0.41) x 10(-10), k(Fe(+).CO(2) + O(2)) = (2.16 +/- 0.35) x 10(-10), k(Fe(+).N(2) + H(2)O) = (1.25 +/- 0.14) x 10(-9) and k(Fe(+).O(2) + H(2)O) = (8.79 +/- 1.30) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), which are all between 36 and 52% of their theoretical upper limits calculated from long-range capture theory. Finally, the role of these reactions in the chemistry of meteor-ablated iron in the upper atmosphere is discussed. The removal rates of Fe(+) by N(2), O(2), CO(2) and H(2)O at 90 km altitude are approximately 0.1, 0.07, 3 x 10(-4) and 1 x 10(-6) s(-1), respectively. The initially formed Fe(+).N(2) and Fe(+).O(2) are converted into the H(2)O complex at approximately 0.05 s(-1). Fe(+).H(2)O should therefore be the most abundant single-ligand Fe(+) complex in the mesosphere below 90 km.     

A study of the reaction NO3 + NO2 + M → N2O5 + M(M = N2, O2)

The gas-phase reaction of the NO₃ radical with NO₂ was investigated, using a flash photolysis-visible absorption technique, over the total pressure range 25–400 Torr of nitrogen or oxygen diluent at 298 ± 2 K. The absolute rate constants determined (in units of 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) at 25, 100, and 400 Torr total pressure were, respectively, (4.0 ± 0.5), (7.0 ± 0.7), and (10 ± 2) for M = N₂ and (4.5 ± 0.5), (8.0 ± 0.4), and (8.8 ± 2.0) for M = O₂. These data show that the third-body efficiencies of N₂ and O₂ are identical, within the error limits, and that previous evaluations for M = N₂ are applicable to the atmosphere. In addition, upper limits were determined for the rate constants of the reactions of the NO₃ radical with methanol, ethanol, and propan-2-ol of ?6 × 10^?16, ?9 × 10^?16, and ?2.3 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, at 298 ± 2 K.     

A kinetic study of the reactions FeO+ + O, Fe+.N2 + O, Fe+.O2 + O and FeO+ + CO: implications for sporadic E layers in the upper atmosphere

These gas-phase reactions were studied by pulsed laser ablation of an iron target to produce Fe(+) in a fast flow tube, with detection of the ions by quadrupole mass spectrometry. Fe(+).N(2) and Fe(+).O(2) were produced by injecting N(2) and O(2), respectively, into the flow tube. FeO(+) was produced from Fe(+) by addition of N(2)O, or by ligand-switching from Fe(+).N(2) following the addition of atomic O. The following rate coefficients were measured: k(FeO(+) + O --> Fe(+) + O(2), 186-294 K) = (3.2 +/- 1.5) x 10(-11); k(Fe(+).N(2) + O --> FeO(+)+ N(2), 294 K) = (4.6 +/- 2.5) x 10(-10); k(Fe(+).O(2) + O --> FeO(+) + O(2), 294 K) = (6.3 +/- 2.7) x 10(-11); and k(FeO(+) + CO --> Fe(+) + CO(2), 294 K) = (1.59 +/- 0.34) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), where the quoted uncertainties are a combination of the 1sigma standard errors in the kinetic data and the systematic experimental errors. The surprisingly slow reaction between FeO(+) and O is examined using ab initio quantum calculations of the relevant potential energy surfaces. The importance of this reaction for controlling the lifetime of sporadic E layers is then demonstrated using a model of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere.     

A kinetic study of Mg+ and Mg-containing ions reacting with O3, O2, N2, CO2, N2O and H2O: implications for magnesium ion chemistry in the upper atmosphere

Reactions between Mg(+) and O(3), O(2), N(2), CO(2) and N(2)O were studied using the pulsed laser photo-dissociation at 193 nm of Mg(C(5)H(7)O(2))(2) vapour, followed by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence of Mg(+) at 279.6 nm (Mg(+)(3(2)P(3/2)-3(2)S(1/2))). The rate coefficient for the reaction Mg(+) + O(3) is at the Langevin capture rate coefficient and independent of temperature, k(190-340 K) = (1.17 ± 0.19) × 10(-9) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (1σ error). The reaction MgO(+) + O(3) is also fast, k(295 K) = (8.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and produces Mg(+) + 2O(2) with a branching ratio of (0.35 ± 0.21), the major channel forming MgO(2)(+) + O(2). Rate data for Mg(+) recombination reactions yielded the following low-pressure limiting rate coefficients: k(Mg(+) + N(2)) = 2.7 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.88); k(Mg(+) + O(2)) = 4.1 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.65); k(Mg(+) + CO(2)) = 7.3 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-1.59); k(Mg(+) + N(2)O) = 1.9 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-2.51) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1), with 1σ errors of ±15%. Reactions involving molecular Mg-containing ions were then studied at 295 K by the pulsed laser ablation of a magnesite target in a fast flow tube, with mass spectrometric detection. Rate coefficients for the following ligand-switching reactions were measured: k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + CO(2)) = (5.1 ± 0.9) × 10(-11); k(MgO(2)(+) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10(-11); k(Mg(+)·N(2) + O(2)→ Mg(+)·O(2) + N(2)) = (3.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Low-pressure limiting rate coefficients were obtained for the following recombination reactions in He: k(MgO(2)(+) + O(2)) = 9.0 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.80); k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + CO(2)) = 2.3 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-5.08); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + H(2)O) = 3.0 × 10(-28) (T/300 K)(-3.96); k(MgO(2)(+) + N(2)) = 4.7 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.75); k(MgO(2)(+) + CO(2)) = 6.6 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-4.18); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = 1.2 × 10(-27) (T/300 K)(-4.13) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1). The implications of these results for magnesium ion chemistry in the atmosphere are discussed.     

RuX^2+(X=O,H,N,C)分子离子的势能函数与稳定性

用密度泛函B3LYP方法对RuX^2+(X=O,H,N,C)分子离子进行了理认研究,结果表明：PuO^2+,PuH^2+,PuN^2+和PuC^2+分子离子能稳定存在,基态电子状态是X5^Σ^-(PuO^2+),X8^Σ^-(PuH^2+),X4^Σ^+(PuN^2+)和X9^Σ^-(PuC^2+),势能函数为Murrell-Sorbie热函数,并导出了相应的几何性质,力学性质和光谱数据。     

Quasiclassical trajectory study of O(1D) + N2O --> NO + NO: classification of reaction paths and vibrational distribution

Quasiclassical trajectory calculations for the planar reaction of O(1D) + N2O --> NO + NO are performed on a newly constructed ab initio potential energy surface. In spite of the reduced dimension approximation, the agreement between the computational and experimental results is largely satisfactory, especially on the similar amount of excitation of the two kinds of NO products found by Akagi et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 111, 115 (1999)]. Analyzing the initial condition dependence of the trajectories, we find that the trajectories of this reaction can be classified into four reaction paths, which correspond to respective areas in the space of initial condition. In one of the four paths, a long-lived stable complex is formed in the course of reaction, whereas the other three paths have direct mechanism. Contradictory to conventional understanding of the chemical reaction dynamics, the direct paths show more efficient energy exchange between the NO stretching modes than that with a long-lived intermediate. This indicates that the vibrational mode coupling along the short-lived paths is considerably stronger than expected.     

Theoretical study of Ca+-X and Y-Ca+-X complexes important in the chemistry of ionospheric calcium (X, Y = H2O, CO2, N2, O2, and O)

Optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies are calculated for Ca(+)-X and Y-Ca(+)-X complexes (X, Y = H2O, N2, CO2, O2, and O), required for understanding the chemistry of calcium in the upper atmosphere. Both MP2 and B3LYP optimizations were performed employing 6-311+G(2d,p) basis sets. In some cases a number of different orientations had to be investigated in order to determine the one of lowest energy, and in cases involving O and O2, different spin states also had to be considered. In order to establish accurate energetics, RCCSD(T) single-point energy calculations were also employed, using aug-cc-pVQZ basis sets. Accurate dissociation energies for the Ca(+)-X and X-Ca(+)-Y species are derived and discussed. Comparison with available experimental results is made where possible.     

In situ FTIR diagnostics of the radio-frequency plasma decomposition of N2O

The decomposition of N₂O in a 13.56-MHz parallel-plate system was studied usingin situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Areas of two infrared absorption bands of N₂O recorded at 8 cm^–1 resolution were used to estimate relative gas-phase dissociation as a function of rf power and flow rate at 500 mT. Flow rate was found to strongly affect band areas over the range of powers investigated (10–90 W). The effect of rf power on band areas diminished above 40 W, probably due to poor plasma confinement. Distortion of the band shapes by the plasma permitted rotational temperatures to be estimated. Rotational temperature increased essentially linearly with power at constant flow rate, reaching 450 K at 80 W, but was independent of flow rate at constant power. Rotational temperatures were also found to depend on the temperature of the electrodes, which were heated by plasma exposure. No infrared-active product species were observed even under batch conditions where all N₂O was irreversibly dissociated. This lack of detectable products and a 50% pressure rise observed in a batch study suggest that N₂ and O₂ are the primary stable discharge products.     

Density distribution of high energy electrons in pulsed corona discharge of NO+N2 mixture

Emission spectroscopy of the high-voltage pulsed positive corona discharge in a line-cylinder reactor is used to investigate the high-energy electron density distribution in the discharge gap. The relative overall emission intensity spatial distribution profile of the A2Sigma+ --> X2Pi transition of NO is successfully recorded against a severe electromagnetic pulse interference coming from the corona discharge at one atmosphere. The spectroscopic investigation shows that the high-energy electron density in the discharge has a nonlinearly decline in the radial distribution. When varying the discharge voltage, the absolute emission intensity of NO is different but the radial distribution profile is similar. If an oxygen flow was introduced into the discharge reactor, the emission intensity of NO decreases tremendously and, therefore, the high-energy electron density decreases reasonably.