The Decay of the Nitrogen Afterglow

Accurate measurements of the decay of intensity of the nitrogen afterglow have been made over a range of intensity greater than 10 5 to one. Electronic methods of gating and control have permitted more accurate and reproducible measurements than any previously published. Series of observations are recorded for independent variation of temperature, pressure and oxygen impurity. All curves show three sections whose parameters vary independently of one another, an initial bimolecular decay, a second bimolecular decay and a final logarithmic decay when the glow is very faint. Constants of these processes are derived from graphs shown. Analysis of results is given by Anderson.