Autoionization of N2

Autoionization of N2 has been investigated theoretically, for the energy region between the threshold for production of N+2 in its ground state, and the threshold for production of the first excited state of N+2. Both vibrationally induced and electronically induced autoionization were studied. Rates for the former process, originating with Rydberg states in the npσu 1Σ+u(v′≳0) and npπu 1Πu (v′≳0) series, are of order 1010 sec−1 or slower, and correspond to linewidths of 0.2 cm−1 or less. Electronically induced autoionization is faster, with typical rates 1011–1012 sec−1, corresponding to linewidths of 0.5–5 cm−1, consistent with observations.