Isotopic Abundance Studies of Homonuclear and Heteronuclear Molecular Ions in Raregas Plasmas

摘要

This work is primarily concerned with the theoretical and experimental study of the molecular ion densities existing in plasmas produced in inert gases and their mixtures. The experimental investigations were accom plished through the use of a quadrupole mass-spectrometer, designed specifically for this type of application. Isotopic abundance measuring techniques were also used for correct identification purposes. One of the prime objectives of this investigation was, to shed some light on the contraversial question of the existence of rare-gas hybrid molecular ions in plasmas. All heteronuclear rare-gas molecular ions have been found to exist as products of the interaction of electron beams with raregas mixtures, although no measurements of their isotopic abundances were reported.