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Title: Versatile radar measurement of the electron loss rate in air

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4828817· OSTI ID:22217838
; ;  [1]
  1. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)

We present an experimental method that makes possible in-situ measurements of the electron loss rate in arbitrary gas mixtures. A weakly ionized plasma is induced via resonant multiphoton ionization of trace amounts of nitric oxide seeded into the gas, and homodyne microwave scattering detection is used to study the dynamics of the electron loss mechanisms. Using this approach, the attachment rate for electrons to molecular oxygen in room temperature, atmospheric pressure air is determined. The measured 0.76 × 10{sup 8} s{sup −1} attachment rate is in very good agreement with predictions based on literature data.

OSTI ID:
22217838
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 103, Issue 22; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English