SOLID STATE SENSOR ARRAY. TASK II - ELECTRON BEAM EXCITATION OF NITROGEN FLUORESCENCE

Fluorescence spectra from nitrogen and air bombarded by electrons was measured over a wavelength range from 3800A to 11,000A. Electron energies were 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 keV and the gas pressure ranged from 0.006 to 0.140 Torr. Relative spectral peak intensities are reported for each of the observed band heads. The 3914A, N2(+)-1N(0,0) and 8912A, N2-1P(1,0) were examined carefully and integrated intensities were compared. The fluorescence spectrum of air was dominated by nitrogen. The electron source was a simple three-electrode gun having a large area cathode. Electron currents delivered to the gas cell were in the range from 1 to 10 mA in the measured energy range. The gun operation was optimum at 0.3 keV, with the best data produced at that energy. (Author)