The lateral diffusion of mass identified positive ions in oxygen

Abstract

Measurements of the lateral diffusion of mass identified O2+ ions in oxygen are reported and comparison made with other available data. Calculations are made of the ratio of the first and second order transport cross sections using the present data and drift velocities obtained by other workers. The conclusion is drawn that the ion-molecule system studied is strongly influenced by spiralling, charge exchange, collisions (due to the polarization attraction of the O2+ ion and oxygen molecule), rather than by 180 degrees scattering collisions, characteristic of long range non-spiralling collisions.