Dissociative recombination of the A ²Π_u and the X ²Σ_g states of N₂⁺ in a glow discharge

The direct-product states of the dissociative recombination (DR) of N₂⁺ have been studied using time-of-flight spectroscopy. The DR reaction occurred in a glow discharge maintained by electrons from a hot cathode. In addition to products from the X ²Σ_g⁺ ground state of the molecular ion, the DR products from the A ²Π_u v=1 short lived (13.9 μsec) excited state were observed. The experimental energy resolution was sufficient to separate the rotational energy levels built on the v=1 vibrational level.