Dissociative recombination and excitation of O2+: Cross sections, product yields and implications for studies of ionospheric airglows

摘要: We present experimental data on the dissociative recombination (DR) and excitation (DE) of O2+ in its electronic vibrational ground state using a heavy ion storage ring. The absolute DR cross section has been determined over an electron collision energy range from 1 meV to 3 eV. thermal rate coefficient is derived; α(Te)=2.4×10−7(300/Te)0.70±0.01 cm3 s−1, for T>200 K. threshold DE was observed near energetic 6.7 curve maximum 3×10−16 cm2 15 have branching fractions different dissociation limits atomic quantum yields process between 0 300 energy. yield O(1D) found be 1.17±0.05, largely independent Arguments are presented that fraction O(3P)+O(1S) negligible. O(1S)+O(1D) smaller than 0.06 varies strongly as function O(1S) strong temperature. Hence, relative strength green, O(1S), red, O(1D), airglows may used measure temperature upper atmosphere. A qualitative explanation given consequences nonadiabatic interactions step process.