Mechanism of thermal energy gas phase charge exchange reaction: He+· + N2

Abstract

Thermal energycharge transfer between He+· and N2 has been investigated using ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) spectroscopy. The N+/N2 +· ratio has been measured as a function of total pressure, reaction time, He+· kinetic energy, and He/N2 mixing ratio. The strong dependence of the N+/N2 +· ratio on the above parameters indicates the majority of the initially formed (N2 +·)* ions from the charge transferreaction must have lifetimes at least 10−4−10−3 sec. A complete reevaluation of the mechanism for the reaction is required to explain these surprising results. A new mechanism is proposed that is consistent with all known existing thermal energy experimental work and with the latest theoretical calculations.