DISSOCIATIVE RECOMBINATION OF THE A(2)II(U) AND THE X-2-SIGMA(G) STATES OF N-2(-DISCHARGE() IN A GLOW)

The direct-product states of the dissociative recombination (DR) of N- 2(+) have been studied using time-of-flight spectroscopy. The DR react ion occurred in a glow discharge maintained by electrons from a hot ca thode. In addition to products from the X (2) Sigma(g)(+) ground state of the molecular ion, the DR products from the A (2) Pi(u) v=1 short lived (13.9 mu sec) excited state were observed. The experimental ener gy resolution was sufficient to separate the rotational energy levels built on the v=1 vibrational level. [S1050-2947(97)05212-8].