Branching Ratios for Dissociative Recombination ofN15N+14

Abstract
Branching ratios for dissociative recombination of 15N14N+ molecular ions in the X2Σg+ electronic ground state were measured by a molecular imaging technique at the heavy ion storage ring ASTRID. For v=0, the branching ratios for the final channels [N(S4)+N(D2):N(S4)+N(P2):N(D2)+N(D2)] were found to be ( 0.46:0.08:0.46). The fact that the N(S4)+N(D2) and N(D2)+N(D2) channels dominate is in agreement with recent multichannel quantum-defect theory calculations. Implications for modeling of the Martian atmosphere are discussed.