A combined experimental and simulational approach to the study of optical emissions resulting from the dissociative electron—ion recombination of small polyatomic ions

Abstract

Current experimental approaches to and theoretical descriptions of the study of electron{ion recombination are presented with focus on dissociative recombination. The experimental apparatus, chemical methodology and means of data analysis used in these studies are described. Photoemissions due, or likely to be due, to electron{ion recombination are reported and quanti ed for the following recombining parent ions: CH , HCO+, CO , HCO , CS , NH , HNO+, N2OH+, SH and XeH+. Practical issues regarding the composition of the plasma in which the recombinations occur and the characteristics of injection and mixing of the reagent parent gases are iscussed; solutions to di culties are suggested. A program that simulates rovibronic spectra is described. Also, a program that simulates the idealized injection into the reactive ow of a neutral reagent gas is described.