Measurement of N+4 recombination rate vs electron temperature in a proton beam created plasma

An experimental method for studying electron–ion recombination process is described. It uses RF pulse heating of a plasma created by a proton beam in high pressure Ne:N2 mixture. The recombination coefficient of N+4 ion has been determined to be (2.3±0.5)10−6 (Te/300)−(0.53±0.14) cm3 s−1 for electron temperature Te between 2000 and 11 000 K.