Enrichment of N15 by chemical reactions in a glow discharge at 77 °K

Abstract

We have observed enrichments of N15 as large as 21±1% in the mixed nitrogenous products (NO, N2O, NO2) of the reaction of N2 and O2 driven by a pulsed glow discharge at 77 °K. A typical energy expenditure per atom separated was 0.22 MeV. Enrichments increased but yields decreased as the electrical energy deposited per reactant molecule was reduced. Under similar conditions enrichment of 15% was observed for N15 from the reaction N2+3D2→2ND3.