| Abstract: | A previously developed model for active species concentration profiles in infinite cylindrical systems has been extended to include the spherical system. The model couples the processes of diffusion to and reaction at the wall. Predictions of time buildup under conditions of homogeneous production by light, and time decay after extinguishing the light source, are made for H atoms. Such predictions require a knowledge of the wall recombination coefficient and the binary diffusion coefficient for H in heat bath gas. The model is experimentally tested by measuring the first-order decay constants of H at room temperature in various pressures (10-1500 torr) of six heat bath gases. The atomic concentration is monitored by Lyman-α absorption photometry. The results show good agreement with model predictions in the various heat bath gases up to ～400 torr and depend only on one parameter,γ, the recombi-nation coefficient. This should be contrasted with the earlier work where slight variation in γ was invoked. The rate constants at pressures higher than 400 torr are consistently higher than model predictions. |
