Single-charge transfer reactions of the ground and metastable states of Xe2+at 300K

Abstract

Measurements are reported of the reactions of the ground (³P) and metastable electronically excited (¹D₂ and ¹S₀) states of Xe²⁺ ions with several atoms (Ar and Xe) and molecules (H₂, N₂, O₂ and CO₂) at 300K. The data were obtained using a selected-ion-flow-tube (SIFT) apparatus. State selection was achieved by introducing suitable 'chemical-filter' gases into the flow tube. The rate coefficients for the reactions with the molecules were large with the exception of some of the reactions of the ¹S₀ state. Conversely, the atom reactions were generally slow except for the ³P state reaction with Ar in which a favourable pseudo-energy resonance must occur. All the molecular reactions proceeded via single-charge transfer and in the ¹D₂ reactions with molecules, dissociation of the product ion was usually observed.