Luminescent charge transfer reactions in the N + + CO system

Abstract

Optical emission from N + + CO collisions in a beam—gas arrangement was studied in the energy range 3–1000 eV 1ab. The total luminescence cross section has a maximum of 1 A 2 at 20–100 eV 1ab. At 20 eV it amounts to ≈25% of the total charge transfer cross section. The measured spectra consist of well-structured CO +(AX) emission at λ > 3500 A and, in the medium-energy range, a quasi-continuum between 2500 and 3500 A. This is due to CO +(A) emission from high ν levels (10 to > 26). A computer simulation yielded detailed rotational and vibrational distributions. Several distinct reaction mechanisms appear to contribute, one of them possibly involving CO +(a 4Σ +) as a precursor.