Electron collisions in nitrogen

Abstract

A mass spectrometer has been used to study electron collisions in nitrogen. The cross section for the ionization of N2 to form N22+ by electron impact has been measured up to 240 ev. By a comparison with the results of Peterson the dissociative ionization cross section of N2 has also been measured. N3+ formed from N2 has been observed and its appearance potential determined. The method developed by Baker and Hasted to study electron-ion collisions has been used to look at the following processes: N+ +e -> N2+ +2e (1) N2+ +e -> N22+ +2e (2) N22+ +e -> N2+ +N +e. (3) Reaction (3) appears to have a very large cross section.