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At least 235 records · Page 13

EUV studies of N2 and O2 produced by low energy electron impact

The emission spectra resulting from electron impact excitation on molecular nitrogen and oxygen in the 500-1200 A spectral region are investigated. Electron energies are from 0 to 300 eV. Numerous bands of N2 are found between 800 and 1000 A. Excitation functions are measured for the NII 916 A, the OI 879 A, and the OII 834 multiplets, and nitrogen band emission. Cross sections were measured at 200 eV for several of the band emissions plus the NI 1135 A, NI 1164 A, NI 1177 A, NII 776 A, NII 1084 A, OI 1152 A, OI 1041 A, OI 999 A, OI 989 A, OI 879 A, OII 834 A, OII 616 A, OII 555 A, OII 539 A, and OII 718 A multiplets.

Morgan, H. D.↗

Electron impact on atmospheric gases. III - Spatial yield spectra for N2

Spatial yield spectra have been calculated for electron energy degradation into molecular nitrogen gas using a Monte Carlo method for 0.1- to 5.0-keV incident electrons. The spectra contain the spatial yield information about the electron degradation process and can be employed to calculate a 'yield' for any inelastic state at any position in the medium. Because of the spectrum's useful nature and simple characteristics, the three-variable spatial yield spectrum U(E, z, E sub zero) is analytically represented as well. This analytic form can then be easily applied to atmospheric and laboratory problems dealing with energetic electron degradation.

Jackman, C. H.↗

Differential Cross Sections for the Electron Impact Excitation of the A(sup 3)(Sigma)(sub u)(sup +), B(sup 3)Pi(sub g), W(sup 3)(Delta)(sub u), B'(sup 3)(Sigma)(sub u)(sup -), a'(sup 1)Sigma(sub u)(sup -), a(sup 1)Pi(sub g), w(sup 1)Delta(sub u), and C(sup 3)Pi(sub u) States of N(sub 2)

Measurements of differential cross sections for the electron-impact excitation of molecular nitrogen from the ground X(sup 1)(Sigma)(sub g)(sup +)(v''=0)level to the A(sup 3)(Sigma)(sub u)(sup +)(v'), B(sup 3)Pi(sub g)(v'), W(sup 3)(Delta)(sub u)(v'),B'(sup 3)(Sigma)(sub u)(sup -)(v'), a(sup 1)(Pi)(sub g)(v'), w(sup 1)(Delta)(sub u)(v'), and C(sup 3)(Pi)(sub u)(v') levels are presented. The data are obtained at the incident energies of 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 30, 50, and 100 eV over the angular range of 5(deg)-130(deg) in 5(deg) intervals. The individual electronic state excitation differential cross sections are obtained by unfolding electron energy-loss spectra of molecular nitrogen using available semiempirical Frank-Condon factors. The data are compared to previous measurements and to available theory. We also make several important suggestions regarding future work that, like the present, relies on the unfolding of electron energy-loss spectra for obtaining differential cross sections.

electron impact↗

Theoretical studies of important processes in planetary and comet atmospheres

Dissociative recombination (DR) reactions in planetary and comet atmospheres are discussed. A computer program was developed which determines DR cross sections and rates using potential curves and electronic capture widths. It uses Multi-Channel Quantum Defect Theory (MQDT) to include excited Rydberg resonance levels in the DR cross section and rate calculations. Each vibrational level of a molecular ion is the limit for an infinite series of Rydberg states. Above each ion vibrational level are Rydberg vibrational levels having higher ion levels as their series limit. These Rydberg vibrational levels are resonances, i.e., neutral states which are imbedded in the electron-molecular ion continuum. The process in which the Rydberg level causes an abrupt perturbation in the cross section for DR (because of interference between capture into the Rydberg level and capture into the repulsive dissociative state) is referred to as indirect recombination. The process in which the Rydberg levels are excluded and recombination goes from the entrance channel to the repulsive state is called direct recombination. The full DR process, i.e., both direct and indirect recombination, is the process of importance for planetary atmospheres. These ideas are illustrated with the new results for DR from excited ion vibrational levels of O2(+) into the dissociative state which leads to O(1S) + O(1D).

Guberman, Steven L.↗

Excitation of atomic nitrogen by electron impact

Absolute cross sections were measured for the excitation of the N I(1134, 1164, 1168, 1200, 1243, and 1743 A) multiplets by electron impact on atomic nitrogen. The presence of vibrationally excited molecular nitrogen in the discharged gas was confirmed, and its effect on the measurements is discussed. The ratio of the oscillator strengths of the 1200 and 1134 A resonance transitions is presented, as well as the branching ratio for the N I(1311/1164 A) multiplets. Striking differences in the distribution of intensity between the spectra of atomic nitrogen and molecular nitrogen excited by energetic electrons suggest an optical method for measuring the density of atomic nitrogen in the upper atmosphere.

Stone, E. J.↗

Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes and Junctions

Metallic and semiconducting Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) have recently been characterized using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and the manipulation of individual CNT has been demonstrated. These developments make the prospect of using CNT as molecular wires and possibly as electronic devices an even more interesting one. We have been modeling various electronic properties such as the density of states and the transmission coefficient of CNT wires and junctions. These studies involve first calculating the stability of junctions using molecular dynamics simulations and then calculating the electronic properties using a pi-electron tight binding Hamiltonian. We have developed the expertise to calculate the electronic properties of both finite-sized CNT and CNT systems with semi-infinite boundary conditions. In this poster, we will present an overview of some of our results. The electronic application of CNT that is most promising at this time is their use as molecular wires. The conductance can however be greatly reduced because of reflection due to defects and contacts. We have modeled the transmission through CNT in the presence of two types of defects: weak uniform disorder and strong isolated scatterers. We find that the conductance is affected in significantly different manners due to these defects Junctions of CNT have also been imaged using STM. This makes it essential to derive rules for the formation of junctions between tubes of different chirality, study their relative energies and electronic properties. We have generalized the rules for connecting two different CNT and have calculated the transmission and density of states through CNT junctions. Metallic and semiconducting CNT can be joined to form a stable junction and their current versus voltage characteristics are asymmetric. CNT are deformed by the application of external forces including interactions with a substrate or other CNT. In many experiments, these deformation are expected to occur naturally. We will present some preliminary results of our calculations of the modification of CNT electronic properties as a result of deformations.

Anantram, M. P.↗

Theoretical studies of important processes in planetary and comet atmospheres

The dissociative recombination (DR) of the AB(+) molecular ion with an electron has been shown to be an important component in the detailed interpretation of planetary ionosphere data. A first principles theoretical approach is developed for calculating the DR cross sections and rates for AB(+) molecular ions. The calculations focus on O2(+) and N2(+) DR, and are the first to include the indirect DR mechanism (Ryberg vibrational levels below v = 0 level of ion) for a molecule larger than H2(+). The importance of electron capture width in calculating the cross sections and rates is also examined. Electron capture widths are given for all states of O2 that are of importance to DR (lowest 10 vibrational levels of ion). Knowledge of the details of dissociative recombination will be needed for interpretation of data from future interplanetary and comet atmospheric studies.

Guberman, Steven L.↗

Thermally stable, low dielectric polyquinolines for aerospace and electronics applications

Four new high molecular weight, linear chain polyquinolines have been synthesized and fabricated into high quality free standing films. These polymers are characterized by moderate to high glass transition temperatures, excellent thermal and thermooxidative stability, extremely low dielectric constants and good planarizing characteristics. The polymers absorb very low quantities of moisture. As a consequence, the dielectric constant of one new polyquinoline has been shown to be quite insensitive to exposure to warm/wet conditions. Isothermal aging of one new derivative in air has been carried out at elevated temperatures (250 C to 345 C). The results demonstrate truly outstanding thermooxidative stability. Additional characterizations include molecular weight determinations, solubilities and film-forming characteristics, density measurements, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The data acquired to date suggest that the polymers may find use as refractive films and coatings and as interlevel planarizers in microelectronics applications.

Hendricks, Neil H.↗