Primary Yields and Mechanisms in the Radiolysis of N2O from High Intensity Electron Pulse Irradiations of N2O–O2 Mixtures

Abstract

The yields of N₂, O₂, NO, and O₃ have been measured from the Febetron radiolysis of N₂O–O₂ mixtures with and without SF₆. A mechanism consistent with the yields from 0–100% O₂ and with known ionic abundances and reaction rate data has been derived. The major features of this mechanism are both dissociative neutralization of N₂O⁺ and excitation of N₂O to give N₂(X¹Σ) and O(¹D) and smaller amounts of N₂(B³Π) and O(³P). The large yields of NO and N₂ observed are mainly due to reaction of O(¹D) with N₂O to give both N₂ and O₂ and NO.