Collisional dissociation cross sections for O+O 2, CO and N 2, O 2+O 2, N+N 2, and N 2+N 2

Abstract

Using laboratory data for the scattering of O by O 2, CO and N 2 pair potentials are constructed for O, C and N atoms. These potentials are then used to calculate collisional dissociation and energy transfer cross sections for O on O 2, CO and N 2, O 2 on O 2, N on N 2, and N 2 on N 2. Since the energetic ions often neutralize in the atmosphere corona, such cross sections are relevant to plasma ion bombardment of the atmospheres of Mars, Titan, Triton and Europa.