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Electron beam initiated discharges in HN sub 3 gas mixtures

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.458441· OSTI ID:6985214
 [1];  [2]
  1. Advanced Laser Technology Division, Weapons Laboratory (WL/ARDI), Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117-6008 (USA)
  2. Physics Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (USA)

The behavior of electron beam initiated discharges in HN{sub 3} and inert gas mixtures for different {ital E}/{ital N} values are presented. These results are the first reported investigations of this highly energetic azide gas under plasma conditions. Using a 3 ns, 600 KeV ionizing electron beam, the temporal decay of the discharge current shows HN{sub 3} {ital is} {ital electronegative}. HN{sub 3} attachment rate constants in Ar are 5.0--10.0{times}10{sup {minus}11} cm{sup 3} s{sup {minus}1} for {ital E}/{ital N} values in the range 1--4 Td (10{sup {minus}17} V cm{sup 2}). With the other inert gases (He, Ne, Kr, and Xe), HN{sub 3} attachment rate constants are 0.5--4.5{times}10{sup {minus}10} cm{sup 3} s{sup {minus}1} for the {ital E}/{ital N} range of 0.5--7.0 Td. Plasma excitation of Ar and HN{sub 3} gas mixtures produce intense N{sub 2}({ital C}{r arrow}{ital B}, {ital v}{prime}=0{r arrow}{ital v}{double prime}=0) electronic transition radiation at 3371 A.

OSTI ID:
6985214
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics; (USA) Vol. 92:1; ISSN JCPSA; ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English