Pre-breakdown discharges through isotopically enriched nitrogen: possible contributions from highly vibrationally excited molecules

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Abstract
The spatial and temporal ionization growth of pre-breakdown discharges in is compared with that in . The spatial growth of the ionization current shows differences which are attributable to differences in secondary-ionization processes caused by metastable-particle activity. The secondary processes are less efficient in than they are in . This is consistent with a previous suggestion (Fewell et al 1996 Chem. Phys. 206 257-67) that diffusion not only of the first electronically excited state but also of highly vibrationally excited electronic ground states of the nitrogen molecule plays a significant role in pre-breakdown discharges through nitrogen.