Negative ion–molecule reactions in liquid argon following electron capture by N2O

Abstract

Electrons produced in liquid argon by a short burst of X rays react readily with dissolved N2O with a bimolecular rate constant of 5.8 × 10−10 cm3/s or 3.5 × 1011 M−1 s−1. The addition of H2 or CO to the Ar/N2O solution results in a fast and slower component in the decay of the electron current. We assume that O− ions are formed in the reaction of electrons with N2O and then react with H2 to give[Formula: see text]or with CO to give[Formula: see text]The addition of CH4 does not regenerate electrons since the reaction[Formula: see text]is thought to occur. Reaction 12 is in agreement with the fact that CO2 does not react with electrons in liquid argon.