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The reaction of N(²D) with O 2 as a source of O (¹D) atoms in aurorae
Author(s) -
Rusch D. W.,
Gérard J C.,
Sharp W. E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i012p01043
Subject(s) - sounding rocket , dissociative recombination , atomic physics , physics , ionosphere , atom (system on chip) , electron , excitation , ion , atomic oxygen , oxygen atom , recombination , oxygen , molecule , geophysics , chemistry , nuclear physics , astronomy , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , computer science , gene , embedded system
We have investigated the source of O(¹D) atoms in the auroral ionosphere using sounding rocket data. Previously, it has been shown that the conventional sources of O(¹D) atoms in the aurora, dissociative recombination of O 2 + and electron impact excitation of atomic oxygen, fail to explain the measured 6300Å volume emission rate profile. We suggest that the atom‐atom interchange reaction of N(²D) with O 2 can be the major source of auroral 6300Å emission if O(¹D) is created with high efficiency.