The luminescence of solid nitrogen under cathode ray bombardment

Abstract

An interesting development made possible by recent advances in the technique of low-temperature research has been the study of the effect produced when solid nitrogen is bombarded by cathode rays. The present investigation is the outcome of a previous one by McLennan and Shrum designed to test a hypothesis put forward by Vegard, that required the auroral green line to have its origin in the luminescence of solid nitrogen suspended in a state of fine division in the upper atmosphere.