Autoionization of N2

Abstract

Autoionization of N₂ has been investigated theoretically, for the energy region between the threshold for production of N⁺₂ in its ground state, and the threshold for production of the first excited state of N⁺₂. Both vibrationally induced and electronically induced autoionization were studied. Rates for the former process, originating with Rydberg states in the npσ_u ¹Σ⁺_u(v′≳0) and npπ_u ¹Π_u (v′≳0) series, are of order 10¹⁰ sec⁻¹ or slower, and correspond to linewidths of 0.2 cm⁻¹ or less. Electronically induced autoionization is faster, with typical rates 10¹¹–10¹² sec⁻¹, corresponding to linewidths of 0.5–5 cm⁻¹, consistent with observations.