Formation of H3+ and H5+ Ions

Abstract

H⁺, H₂⁺, H₃⁺, and H₅⁺ ions have been identified in hydrogen gas by use of a mass spectrometer with the ion source in the pressure range from 10⁻³ to 0.5 mm Hg. Secondary ions are formed in steps of consecutive reactions between ions and hydrogen molecules. Reaction cross sections of the secondary H₃⁺ ions have been determined from the concentration dependence of the intensities of the H₂⁺ ions. The tertiary H₅⁺ ion is formed in three‐body collisions of the H₃⁺ ion with the hydrogen molecules. Dissociation processes of all three molecular ions have been observed.