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Charge transfer between oxygen atoms and O + and H + ions

1964; American Geophysical Union; Volume: 69; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1029/jz069i011p02349

2156-2202

R. F. Stebbings, A. C. H. Smith, H. Ehrhardt,

Atomic and Molecular Physics

The cross sections for charge transfer between O atoms and O+ and H+ ions have been determined within the energy range 40 to 10,000 ev in a crossed-beam experiment. These processes are of unusual interest because of their influence on the motion and composition of the earth's high atmosphere. It is observed that the variation of the cross section Q with energy E for each of these processes can be well represented by an expression of the form Q½ = a - b log E, which is characteristic of symmetric resonance charge transfer. The magnitudes of these cross sections at energies appropriate to those in the upper atmosphere are estimated. The O atoms used in these measurements were obtained from an electrodeless RF discharge; the ions were extracted from an electron-bombardment ion source. The influence of excited states on the measurements is estimated.