Electronic ionization and recombination coefficients for atmospheric molecules-I. Electron impact ionization cross-sections

Abstract

The electron impact ionization cross-sections for some molecular atmospheric species such as N2, O2, H2, NO, CO, and CO2 have been calculated using different classical and semiempirical formulae. The effect of nuclear motion has been included as suggested by Bauer. It is found that the semiempirical formula of Darwin with modified values of the parameters f1 and f2 reproduces the experimental values satisfactory. Cross-sections calculated by using this Darwin formula have been used for the calculation of the ionization and recombination coefficients for an O2 plasma. © 1971.