PULSED LASER ASSISTED REACTIONS OF B AND N ATOMS IN A CONDENSING NITROGEN STREAM

Pulsed laser evaporation of boron and dissociation of nitrogen have provided B and N atoms for reaction in a condensing nitrogen stream. The major product NNBN and the minor products NBN and BNN were identified by mixed nitrogen and boron isotopic multiplets from the FTIR spectra in solid nitrogen. Nitrogen atoms participate in these reactions as verified by the observation of N3 radical and an intense green glow on annealing. The yield of diboron species was reduced by the potentially reactive nitrogen matrix.