DISSOCIATIVE RECOMBINATION OF THE GROUND-STATE OF N2+

Large scale theoretical quantum chemical calculations are reported for the dissociative recombination with an electron of the lowest vibrational level of the ground state of the nitrogen molecular ion. The calculated dissociative recombination rate is 1.6 x 10(-7) x (T(e)/300)-.37 cm3/sec for 100 < T(e) < 1000K and is in excellent agreement with prior microwave afterglow experiments but disagrees with recent merged beam results. The dissociation limit yields mostly 4S + 2D atoms in disagreement with plasma flow tube results. The dominant mechanism for dissociative recombination imparts sufficient energy to the product atoms to allow for escape from the Martian atmosphere.