Abstract
A variety of cross‐section data for electron‐impact ionization of N2 have been analyzed, including those for total N2+ production and for the Meinel and first‐negative emissions from excited N2+ ions. These results are used to infer the relative production rates of the N2+ (X), N2+ (A), and N2+ (B) product ions during the reactions, yielding branching‐ratio fractions of 0.320±0.147, 0.535±0.112, and 0.145±0.019, respectively, for 100‐eV electrons. The data are compared with the relative formation rates of these ions recently obtained using electron‐energy spectroscopy coincidence measurements. The significant discrepancy between these two procedures is discussed, and the results obtained from our data analysis are recommended for auroral modeling at the present time.
Published Version
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