FAST TRACK COMMUNICATION: Recombination of H+3 ions in the afterglow of a He Ar H2 plasma
Abstract
Recombination of H+3 with electrons is studied in a low-temperature plasma containing He, H2 and Ar at different He and H2 densities. The effective plasma recombination rate is driven by binary, H+3 + e-, and ternary, H+3 + e-+ He, processes with the rate coefficients 7.5 × 10-8 cm3 s-1 and 2.8 × 10-25 cm6 s-1 respectively at 260 K. We suggest that the ternary recombination involves formation of neutral highly excited Rydberg H3 followed by an l-changing collision with He. The difference between recombination of para- and ortho-H+3 is discussed.
- Publication:
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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular Physics
- Pub Date:
- October 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0953-4075/41/19/191001
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0710.2339
- Bibcode:
- 2008JPhB...41s1001G
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Atomic Physics;
- Physics - Plasma Physics
- E-Print:
- 4 figures