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Detection of nitrogen metastable molecules by using the threshold ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Matsuda Satoshi,
Shimosato Hirotsugu,
Yumoto Motoshige,
Sakai Takao
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
electrical engineering in japan
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.136
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1520-6416
pISSN - 0424-7760
DOI - 10.1002/eej.10270
Subject(s) - ionization , metastability , mass spectrometry , atomic physics , electron ionization , chemistry , molecule , electron , quadrupole mass analyzer , analytical chemistry (journal) , physics , ion , nuclear physics , organic chemistry , chromatography
The N 2 (A 3 Σu + ) state has a rather long radiation lifetime, and its electron energy is high. Accordingly, it is expected that chemical reactions in the space where many metastable molecules are accumulated will be accelerated. Therefore, it is important to detect metastable molecules and to evaluate the number density of the molecules. With a view to detecting the N 2 (A 3 Σu + ) state in nitrogen plasma, the authors used threshold ionization mass spectrometry. For that purpose a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) was modified to control its electron energy for ionization. Magnitude of the QMS signal was compared with the ionization cross section of the N 2 (A 3 Σu + ) state brought about by electron collision, and its number density was estimated. Using the method, it was recognized that the density of N 2 (A 3 Σu + ) increased in proportion to the discharge current. It was likewise recognized that the density of the current was rapidly decreased in the vicinity of the glass wall. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 147(1): 17–24, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10270