The Dielectric Discharge as an Efficient Generator of Active Nitrogen for Chemiluminescence and Analysis

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Abstract
A predominantly blue “active nitrogen” afterglow was generated in pure flowing nitrogen or in air by using a dielectric discharge at pressures from 1 to 20 Torr. The afterglow contains triplet state molecules and vibrationally excited ground state molecules. These species are produced directly by electron impact without the formation and recombination of nitrogen atoms. The most intense emission is the N2 second positive band system. The N2 first positive and N2+ first negative systems are also observed. The spectral and electrical properties of this discharge are discussed in order to establish guidelines for the analytical use of the afterglow for chemiluminescence reactions. The metastatic nitrogen efficiently transfers its energy to atomic and molecular species which are introduced into the gas phase and these excited species emit characteristic radiation. The effects of electrothermal atomization of Zn and the introduction of gaseous species (e.g., NO) on the afterglow are described.