Lanthanide metal chemi-ionization with atomic oxygen, M + O � MO+ + e-, is an important potential electron source for artificial ionosphere applications, such as the Metal Oxide Space Cloud (MOSC) experiment recently conducted by AFRL.  The artificial plasma generated by a release of Samarium vapor in the upper atmosphere shows significant potential in mitigation of ionospheric scintillation effects on radio wave propagation.  Unfortunately, numerous observations of the release were contrary to predictions, highlighting significant deficiencies in the modeling.  Foremost of these is a lack of understanding of the potential chemistry taking place.  This talk will focus on recent efforts in our lab to fill this gap of knowledge by measuring the temperature dependent kinetic behavior of Sm+ and SmO+ with atmospherically relevant neutrals and other model systems.  We have found that Sm+ reacts efficiently with O2, N2O, SO2, and NO2, but not with NO, C2H4, or CO2. All reactions proceed to form SmO+ with a negative temperature dependence; implications for the thermochemistry will be discussed. SmO+ is observed to cluster with N2O, SO2, CO2, and NO2. Reaction of O and O3 will be investigated. Study of the chemi-ionization reaction of Sm and O are planned. Aside from the practical applications of these reactions, lanthanide systems are notoriously difficult to calculate, thus the data is also important for the development of quantum chemical and kinetic models.

Reactions of Sm, Sm<sup>+</sup>, and SmO<sup>+</sup> in the atmosphere: Temperature dependent kinetics

247th National Meeting (2014)

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Reactions of Sm, Sm+, and SmO+ in the atmosphere: Temperature dependent kinetics

Reactions of Sm, Sm⁺, and SmO⁺ in the atmosphere: Temperature dependent kinetics