N-2(-2(+)(A), AND N-2(+)(B) PRODUCTION IN E(-)+N-2 COLLISIONS()(X), N)

A variety of cross-section data for electron-impact ionization of N-2 have been rates of the N-2(+)(X), N-2(+)(A), and N-2(+)(B) product ion s during the reactions, yielding branching-ratio fractions of 0.320 +/ - 0.147, 0.535 +/- 0.112, and 0.145 +/- 0.019, respectively, for 100-e V electrons. The data are compared with the relative formation rates o f these ions recently obtained using electron-energy spectroscopy coin cidence measurements. The significant discrepancy between these two pr ocedures is discussed, and the results obtained from our data analysis are recommended for auroral modeling at the present time.