Production of N3 from irradiation of the N2-rich ices using soft X-rays and cosmic rays analog

Synopsis N2-rich ices may exist in various environments in the solar system and interstellar medium. These ices are exposed to ultraviolet photons and cosmic rays, which may cause changes in the molecular structure, thus leading to formation of new species. In this study we investigated experimentally the production of N3 from the irradiation of N2- rich ices, using soft X-rays and cosmic rays analog. The results of the experiments using these sources of radiation showed that the azide radical, N3, was observed in ices that have been bombarded by ions and in those that have been photolyzed (range of vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-rays).