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

Abstract

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.