Rate constants for the reaction of Ar+(2P3/2) with N2 as a function of N2 vibrational temperature and energy level

Rate constants have been measured for the reaction of Ar+(2P3/2) with N2 as a function of N2 vibrational temperature for a rotational and translational temperature of 300 K. The rate constants increase from a value of 1.2×10−11 cm3 s−1 at a N2 vibrational temperature of 300 K to 2.0×10−10 cm3 s−1 at a N2 vibrational temperature of 4700 K. The data are used to derive rate constants for specific vibrational levels. The rates constants for v=0–3 are 1.2×10−11, 3.0×10−10, 7.6×10−10, and 7.6×10−10 cm3 s−1, respectively. Additionally, the data suggest that the rate constant for v≳3 drops from the v=3 value, although this is less certain. The increase in the rate constants with increasing v is postulated to arise from the N2(v)→N2+(v+1) channel becoming less endothermic with increasing v and therefore closer to being resonant. Vibrational energy is found to be more effective at promoting this reaction than are translational or rotational energy.