Current growth in oxygen

Abstract

Current growth curves have been obtained in oxygen over a wide range of experimental parameters. Evidence is presented for the existence of detachment reactions from O− and O3− ions, and values of the `apparent' attachment coefficient are given for the E/N range 90 to 150 Td, where E/N is the ratio of electric field strength to gas density. Using calculated values of the `real' attachment coefficients, values for the O− detachment coefficient δ1 have been obtained. Values of δ1/N range from zero at low values of E/N to 1·63×10−16 cm2 at an E/N of 151 Td. Detachment from another ion, presumably O3− with a coefficient δ3, has also been inferred, and values of δ3/N are estimated to be approximately 3×10−18 cm2 at an E/N of 120 Td.