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Mentall, J. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Mentall, J. E..

35 records · Page 2
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NASA NTRS1973

Excitation of CO2/+/ by electron impact on CO2

Consideration of a discrepancy concerning the correct value of the cross section for excitation of the CO2(+) B state by electron impact on CO2. It is suggested that the reason for the disparate results obtained by various authors for the B state can be traced to a calibration error due to scattered light. In particular, the tungsten filament lamps used in the experiments cited have very low intensity at wavelengths below 3000 A where the B state emissions occur, so that even a small amount of scattered light in the spectrometer will produce a large error in the measured cross section. In a remeasurement of the cross section for excitation of the B state at an energy of 150 eV it was found that at 2900 A the scattered light signal, if uncorrected for, would introduce an error of about 50%.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Optical study of charge exchange collisions between He+ and CO2.

Helium ions were produced in an electron bombardment ion source and directed into a gas cell containing carbon dioxide. A Wien filter placed between the ion source and the gas cell insured that only singly charged helium ions reached the cell. The spectrum obtained for the bombardment of carbon dioxide with the helium ions at 1200 eV is shown in a graph. Prominent features of the lower spectrum are two atomic lines at 3889 and 4471 A.

Coplan, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Cross sections for production of the CO(A 1 Pi)-(X 1 Sigma) fourth positive band system and O(3 S) by photodissociation of CO2

The CO(A 1 Pi) cross sections reported here, along with previously determined electron impact results, establish the basis for calculating CO fourth positive system volume emission rates in the Martian dayglow. Calculated volume emission rates in turn determine relative distribution of photon vs. electron impact as mechanisms for producing CO(A 1 Pi) in the Mars atmosphere. The smallness of the O(1304) cross section confirms previous indirect evidence that photodissociative excitation of CO2 is not an important source of O(3 S) in the upper atmosphere of Mars.

Gentieu, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Vacuum-ultraviolet excitation cross sections by electron impact on NO.

Absolute excitation functions were measured for the NO(+) A l super Pi-Chi 1 super Sigma (+) molecular band system, the nitrogen 1200-, 1243-, and 1493-A multiplets, and oxygen 1304-A multiplet. Excitation was by electron impact on NO from threshold to approximately 250 eV. Results are plotted and tabulated.

Mentall, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photochemistry and lifetimes of interstellar molecules.

Quantitative discussion of the photochemistry and lifetime against photodecomposition of five interstellar molecules: H2CO, NH3, H2O, CH4, and CO. For the first four molecules, primary photochemical decomposition processes yielding atomic and molecular hydrogen are considered in addition to photoionization. The quantum yield for decomposition of these molecules is unity. For CO, only decomposition to ground-state carbon and oxygen atoms occur, but the quantum yield is not known and may be considerably less than unity. The radiation field in obscuring clouds is estimated, using an interstellar extinction curve for the Perseus region.

Stief, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Photoionization and absorption spectrum of formaldehyde in the vacuum ultraviolet.

The measurements have been conducted in the spectral range from 600 to 2000 A. Integrated oscillator strengths were determined for a number of strong Rydberg transitions above 1200 A. From the photoionization curve the first adiabatic ionization potential was found to be 10.87 plus or minus 0.01 eV. As an aid in interpreting the absorption spectrum, theoretical calculations were made using a single-configuration self-consistent field procedure for the Rydberg states and a model which included mixing between the Rydberg and valence states.

Mentall, J. E.↗