Occurrence of H3+ in the Field Ionization of Hydrogen

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Abstract
Mass‐spectroscopical analysis of the ions produced at a point emitter with dynamic supply of hydrogen at room temperature or in modified field ion microscopes at 78° and 20°K showed the abundant occurrence of H3+ besides H+ and H2+ observed earlier by Inghram and Gomer. The triatomic molecule ion is formed only in the narrow range of field strength near best image conditions. The mechanism of H3+ formation under the extreme field conditions is uncertain. Field ion‐microscopic observation shows H3+ only over single protruding surface atoms, which might act as sites for deactivation of an intermediate state, or simply provide a region of locally enhanced field to allow quick field ionization of short‐lived H3.