Formation of NO2−by Charge Transfer at Very Low Energies

Abstract

The formation of N${\mathrm{O}}_2^{-}$ by charge transfer of various negative ions of near 0-ev kinetic energy in N${\mathrm{O}}_2$ has been observed. The explanation of the very large cross section observed for the charge transfer process may possibly be found in the proposal of Rapp and Magee for the enhancement of the charge transfer cross section for nonresonant systems at low energy by the influence of the polarization of the target molecule by the incoming ion. A lower bound of 3.82 ev is placed on the electron affinity of N${\mathrm{O}}_2$.