Measurements of thermal energy neon ion-neutral reaction rate coefficients

Thermal energy ion-neutral reaction rate coefficients have been measured for Ne+ with Xe, N-2, O-2, H-2, CO. NO, CO2, NH3, CH4. C2H6, C3H6 and n-C4H10 using a steady state flowing afterglow apparatus. In contrast to the reaction rates of He+ and Ar+ with the above molecules, Net reaction rates are in general at least an order of magnitude smaller than the rates predicted by simple orbiting theory. The exceptions are C2H6, C3H8 and n-C4H10 where the charge transfer probability per collision rises to about 50%. In the course of this work rate coefficients for the reactions He+ + Xe and n-C4H10: C+ + CH4, n-C4H10 and Xe; CO+ + Xe and O-2 have also been determined.