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Title: Neutral product analysis of the microwave C{sub 2}H{sub 2} plasma: C{sub n}, C{sub n}H{sub 2}, C{sub n}H{sub 3}, C{sub n}H{sub 4}, C{sub n}H{sub 5}, and larger species

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.366093· OSTI ID:538403
 [1]
  1. National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onagawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 (Japan)

Product analysis of microwave (MW) C{sub 2}H{sub 2} discharge by Li{sup +} ion attachment mass spectrometry demonstrates the unexpected formation of many unfamiliar hydrocarbon neutral products. The experiments were conducted under MW discharge conditions in which the peak intensities for the ionic species leaving the MW C{sub 2}H{sub 2} plasma were barely detectable which permits confirmation of these neutral compound in the gas phase. Various free radicals as well as stable polymer molecules were clearly present. The latter are classified as C{sub n} (n=4, 6, and 8), C{sub n}H{sub 2} (n=2, 3, 4, 6, and 8), C{sub n}H{sub 4} (n=2, 3, 4, 6, and 8), and so on, where n is the carbon number. Radicals such as C{sub n}H{sub 3} (n=2 and 4), C{sub n}H{sub 5} (n=2, 4, and 6), C{sub n}H{sub 7} (n=3 and 4), and C{sub n}H{sub 9} (n=4) were detected. Some of these species, which have been observed in the interstellar space, have been identified mass spectrometrically for the first time. We believe that integrating a Li{sup +} ion attachment reactor with quadrupole mass spectrometry can create a powerful instrument for installation on spacecraft. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

OSTI ID:
538403
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 82, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English