Laser augmented reaction rates: Application to interconversion and oxidation of the boranes

The practical utility of low power microwave plasmas for affecting syntheses of useful products was further demonstrated during the first part of the report period. In a microwave discharge low pressure flow reactor, which was previously developed to convert mixtures of trimethoxyborane and hydrogen to the dimethoxy derivative, silicon tetrachloride reacted with hydrogen to generate polycrystalline silicon films. Silicon tetrafluoride can be similarly reduced. Also, very finely divided Si3N4 was produced from mixtures of SiCl4, N2, and H2 when passed through this discharge. The latter portion of the report period as devoted to the study of the chemiluminescence generated when borane adducts (H3BX; X = N (CH3)3; N(C2H5)3; CO; PYR; THF; S(CH3)2) were mixed with excess oxygen atoms (3P). A low pressure flame was developed. Its spectrum is quantitatively recorded and full analyzed. The most prominent band system was the extensive alpha bands of BO.