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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3

Electron-temperature dependence of dissociative recombination of electrons with N2/+/.N2 dimer ions

The variation with electron temperature of the dissociative recombination of electrons with N2(+).N2 dimer ions is investigated in light of the importance of such ions in the lower ionosphere and in laser plasmas. Dissociative recombination coefficients were determined by means of a microwave afterglow mass spectrometer technique for electron temperatures from 300-5600 K and an ion and neutral temperature of 300 K. The recombination coefficient is found to be proportional to the -0.41 power of the electron temperature in this range, similar to that observed for the CO(+).CO dimer ion and consistent with the expected energy dependence for a fast dissociative process.

Whitaker, M.↗

A laboratory study on the dissociative recombination of vibrationally excited O2/+/ions

The dissociative recombination of vibrationally excited O2(+) ions is studied in light of the possible importance of this reaction in upper atmospheric chemistry. A plasma spectroscopy experiment was performed in a microwave cavity filled by an argon-oxygen mixture, with O(1S) production monitored by measurements of the 5577-A afterglow, the O2(+) density and the electron concentration. Plasma and optical data reveal the predominant afterglow ions to be Ar2(+) and O2(+), with an effective O(1S) dissociative recombination coefficient of 2.1 x 10 to the -8th cu cm/sec, corresponding to a quantum yield of 10%. Experiments with an argon-krypton-oxygen mixture reveal that vibrationally excited O2(+) ions are the chief source of the O(1S) atoms, with a specific recombination coefficient for the dissociation of O2(+)(2 pi g) into O(1S) and O(1D) of 4.2 x 10 to the -9th cu cm/sec. A comparison of the laboratory results with Atmospheric Explorer data on the 5577-A airglow implies that O2(+) ions in the sunlit ionosphere are vibrationally excited to the same degree as in the laboratory, with the vibrational relaxation of these ions much slower than dissociative recombination. Results also predict a dawn-twilight asymmetry in the effective O(1S) yield due to the normal variation of electron content.

Zipf, E. C.↗

A kinetic study of the interaction between atomic oxygen and aerosols

This study was concerned with the effects of NH4Cl and (NH4)2SO4 aerosols on the kinetics of disappearance of atomic oxygen. Atomic oxygen was generated by a 2.45-GHz microwave discharge and the kinetics of disappearance measured in a fast flow system using NO2 titration. Values of the recombination coefficient for heterogeneous wall recombination were determined for clean, H2SO4-coated, and (NH4)2SO4-coated Pyrex to be 0.000050, 0.000020, and 0.000019, respectively. A rapid exothermic chemical reaction was found to occur between atomic oxygen and an NH4Cl wall coating; the products were NH3, NO, H2O, and HCl. The NH4Cl aerosol was generated by gas phase reaction of NH3 with HCl. The aerosol particles were approximately spherical and nearly monodisperse with a mean diameter of 1.6 plus or minus 0.2 micron. The rate constant for the disappearance of atomic oxygen in the presence of NH4Cl aerosol was measured. No significant decrease was observed in the rate of disappearance of atomic oxygen in the presence of an (NH4)2SO4 aerosol at a concentration of 285 mg per cu m.

Akers, F. I.↗

Catalytic recombination of nitrogen and oxygen on iron-cobalt-chromia spinel

The energy-transfer catalytic recombination coefficient for nitrogen and oxygen recombination on iron-cobalt-chromia spinel is inferred from stagnation-point heat flux measurements in dissociated arc-jet flow. This material was coated on several Space Shuttle Orbiter thermal protection tiles. The resulting coefficients are correlated with an Arrhenius model for convenience, and these expressions may be used to account for catalytic recombination in predictions of the heat flux on the spinel-coated tiles flown on several Space Shuttle Orbiter flights. The results are compared with those inferred by Rakich, Stewart, and Lanfranco from an Orbiter flight and arc-jet experiments. Good agreement is obtained for oxygen recombination, but agreement for nitrogen is poor.

Scott, C. D.↗

Comprehensive Study of Carrier Recombination in High‐Efficiency CdTe Solar Cells Using Transient Photovoltage

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells represent a commercially successful photovoltaic technology, with an annual production capacity approaching 20 GW. However, improving the open-circuit voltage (V OC ) remains challenging. This study aims to deepen the understanding of charge carrier recombination in CdTe solar cells and to explore alternative dynamical characterization methods that address the limitations found in conventionally used time-resolved photoluminescence for CdTe solar cells. Transient photovoltage and transient photocurrent techniques are utilized to investigate charge carrier dynamics under conditions resembling real-world solar cell operation. The results reveal that an effective nonradiative recombination lifetime of 580 ns dominates the charge dynamics at VOC values below 850 mV. Above this threshold, radiative recombination becomes significant, with a radiative recombination coefficient of 1.1 × 10 −9 cm 3 s −1 . Additionally, the stationary charge carrier density at 1 sun is determined to be around 1 × 10 14 cm −3 . By accurately determining both radiative and nonradiative recombination, this work provides a comprehensive understanding of carrier dynamics in high-performing CdTe devices and paves the way for improving the V OC and performance of CdTe solar cells.

CdTe solar cells↗

Surface Catalytic Efficiency of Advanced Carbon Carbon Candidate Thermal Protection Materials for SSTO Vehicles

The catalytic efficiency (atom recombination coefficients) for advanced ceramic thermal protection systems was calculated using arc-jet data. Coefficients for both oxygen and nitrogen atom recombination on the surfaces of these systems were obtained to temperatures of 1650 K. Optical and chemical stability of the candidate systems to the high energy hypersonic flow was also demonstrated during these tests.

Stewart, David A.↗

Hydrocarbon Ions in the Ionospheres of Titan and Jupiter

Two examples are given of models of ion chemistry in reducing atmospheres: Titan, which is a satellite of Saturn, and Jupiter, the largest of the gas giants. In both ionospheres, layers of hydrocarbon and/or C, H, and N-containing ions have been predicted to appear, with larger ions dominating at lower altitudes. Altitude profiles are presented for individual C1- and C2-hydrocarbon ions and larger ions that are represented for example, as C(x)H(y)(+) and C(x)H(y)N(x)(+). The accuracy of the predictions is, however, limited by the availability of information about the chemistry of these ions. In addition to rate coefficients and product channels for ion-molecule reactions, dissociative recombination coefficients and branching ratios are needed for many hydrocarbon and and related ions.

Fox, J. L.↗

Electron-temperature dependence of the recombination of electrons with O4(+) ions

The coefficient for recombination of O4(+) ions with electrons has been measured as a function of Te by analyzing electron- and ion-density decays in microwave-generated afterglow plasmas in neon-oxygen mixtures. Te values in the afterglow were elevated above those of the neutral species and ions by continuous application of microwave power. The data analysis included effects on the Te arising from inelastic collisions of electrons with the minority oxygen molecules and spatial nonuniformities of Te due to the spatially nonuniform microwave heating field. Over the temperature range Te = 143-5500 K the recombination coefficients were found to have a Te exp -z dependence, with z = 0.48 + 0.1 or - 0.05. While the values of the recombination coefficients for this dimer ion are an order of magnitude larger than those of the monomer ions, the temperature dependence is close to the Te exp -0.5 dependence predicted and often observed for diatomic ions.

Dulaney, J. L.↗