Rate constants for the reactions of O2+(a 4Πu) ions with N2, Ar, CO, CO2,H2, and O2 at relative kinetic energies 0.04–2 eV

O_{2}^{+} Production Coming from CO_{2} Single-Event Electron Impact

In CO_{2}-rich atmospheres that are always exposed to ionizing radiation (e.g., Venus and Mars), every fragmentation process can significantly impact the inventory of moieties present in these environments. Nevertheless, the production of O_{2}^{+} ions as a direct result of CO_{2} fragmentation has never been quantified so far. Since molecular oxygen is considered as a potential trace of living organisms, nonbiotic pathways for its production must be known. In this work, O_{2}^{+} coming from CO_{2} fragmentation by electron impact is unambiguously identified and measured in absolute scale.

Quantum-state-selected integral cross sections for the charge transfer collision of O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: v+= 1–2; J+) [O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: v+= 22–23; J+)] + Ar at center-of-mass collision energies of 0.05–10.00 eV

Study of spin–orbit and rovibronically selected ion-molecule reactions between O₂⁺(a⁴Π_u,ν⁺= 1–2; X²Π_g,ν⁺= 22–23) and Ar.

A simple method for estimating effective ion source residence time

A method is presented that uses the well-understood O2/Ax ion-molecule reaction system to determine the effective ion source residence time of a chemical ionization source. The process consists of: (1) defining the kinetic system in terms of reactions, reaction rates, and ionization cross sections; (2) solving the differential equations that describe the time evolu-tion of the kinetic system, and (3) comparing the calculated results to experimentally measured relative ion intensities. These steps are repeated for a variety of 02/Ar sample ratios and inlet pressures. The method leads to a simple relationship between inlet pressure and effective ion source residence time, independent of the 02/Ar sample ratio.

A Personal history of the early development of the flowing afterglow technique for ion-molecule reaction studies

A personal perspective of the historical development of the flowing afterglow (FA) technique for measuring thermal energy ion-molecule reaction rate constants is presented. The technique was developed in the period starting in late 1962 in what was then the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado. The motivation was primarily to obtain a quantitative understanding of the ion chemistry of the terrestrial ionosphere, a program that was substantially achieved. The thermal energy measurements were extended in temperature from 300 K to a range of 80 K-900 K and subsequently to a center-of-mass kinetic energy range up to ∼ 2 eV with the introduction of a drift tube into the FA.The chemical versatility, in regard to both the ion and the neutral reactants measured, remains unequaled and FA systems are currently in widespread use around the world for a variety of chemical research programs.