The Effect of Electric Fields on the Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide by Alpha-Rays

Abstract

Combination of oppositely charged ions plays no part in initiating the decomposition of nitrous oxide by alpha-rays at 10 cm and at 20 cm pressure. The decomposition in the absence of a field is evidently largely initiated by the splitting of molecules on electron collision. The application of electric fields above those required to attain half-saturation increases the ion yield because of the acceleration of free electrons by the fields. At higher field strengths the ion yield attains a value which remains unchanged on further increase in field strength. When the ion yield has this final constant value all electrons are attached to form negative atomic or molecular ions before reaching the electrode. Assuming the same reactions occur on electron collision as in the photo-chemical reaction the increase in ion yield as a result of the effect of the field involves a minimum of 1.2 molecules of nitrous oxide split without attachment of the electron for each molecule split with attachment.