Charge transfer reactions of ground N+(3P) and excited N+(1D) state ions with neutral molecules

Total charge transfer cross sections have been measured for the reactions of 1–3 keV N+(3P) and N+(1D) ions with Ar, H2, N2, O2, CO, NO, and CO2. Time-of-flight techniques have been used to measure fast neutral N products from charge transfer reactions of N+ ions which have been produced by electron impact ionization of nitrogen. Charge transfer reactions have been examined as a function of the electron energy used to produce the reactant N+ ions and reaction cross sections determined for both ground N+(3P) and N+(1D) state ions. Total charge transfer cross sections involving 1–3 keV N+(3P) and N+(1D) ions are similar in magnitude as a result of similar energy defects for reactions of both ground and excited state ions.