CHARGE-TRANSFER CROSS SECTIONS FOR H+, LI+, AND NA+ ON N2

Measurements of the total cross section for charge transfer σ10 of H+, Li+, and Na+ on N2 are reported here in the energy range of 25-100 keV. The method used was direct detection of fast neutral particles that were formed in single charge-transfer collisions. Data for H+ on N2 are in excellent agreement with previously published results with σ10 increasing with decreasing energy, reaching a value of 1.55 × 10-15 cm2/molecule at 5 keV. From data for Li+ and Na+ on N2, σ10 is observed to increase with increasing energy. The cross section for Na+ has a maximum of 1.1 × 10-16 cm2/molecule at about 50 keV, while the cross section for Li+ is still increasing at 100 keV, although an irregularity is observed at approximately 30 keV. © 1969 The American Physical Society.