The late afterglow in nitrogen with iron electrode is studied by the b
reakdown time delay method i.e., by measuring the breakdown time delay
t(d) as a function of the afterglow time tau. It is proposed that the
cause of rite secondary electrons initiating the breakdown is the ene
rgy of the surface recombination of nitrogen atoms on the iron electro
de. The gas-phase and macrokinetic diffusive models are used to descri
be tire experimental breakdown time delay data. By fitting the theoret
ical curve to the experimental data: (1) it has been confirmed that ti
re recombination on the molybdenum glass is of tire second order and t
he value of the surface recombination coefficient is determined at 4 m
bar; (2) it has been shown that the surface recombination on the iron
electrode is of tire second order, and the effective recombination coe
fficients ore determined; (3) the analytical form of the recombination
coefficient as a function of rite adsorption characteristics of surfa
ces and tire pressure of the parent gas has been derived. In addition.
the orders of surface recombination on the molybdenum-, aluminum-, an
d gold-plated electrode were determined by the same method.