Special Topics

List of Contributors

Treatise Preface

Preface


1 Ultra-sensitive Chemical Detectors

I. Introduction

II. Common Factors

III. Calibration

IV. Signal Amplification and Processing

V. Ion Chamber Design

VI. The Ultra-sensitive Detectors. The Electron Capture Detector (ECD)

VII. The Flame Ionization Detector (FID)

VIII. The Photoionization Detector (PID)

IX. Penning Effect Detectors (PED)

X. Chemiluminescent Detectors (CLD)

XI. Conclusions

References


2 Lightning

I. Introduction and Brief History

II. Summary of Lightning Observations

III. Cloud Electrification

IV. Lightning Initiation

V. Propagation of Leaders and Growth of Channels

VI. Electronacoustic Waves

VII. Energy Storage along the Column

VIII. Intermittent Recharging

IX. The Electrode Step

X. Return Strokes

XI. Column Expansion and Thunder

XII. Subsequent Strokes

XIII. Continuing Currents

XIV. Other Modes

XV. M Strokes

XVI. Terrestrial Charge Balance

XVII. Ball Lightning

XVIII. Lightning Protection

Summary

References


3 Magnetohydrodynamic Electrical Power Generation

I. Introduction

II. Modeling the Plasma

III. Plasma Composition

IV. Collision Cross Section

V. Concluding Remarks

References


4 Gas Breakdown and High Voltage Insulating Gases

I. Introduction

II. Gas Breakdown

III. Key Collision Processes of Direct Relevance to Gas Breakdown and High Voltage Insulation

IV. The Role of Basic Knowledge of Collision Processes in the Development of High Voltage Insulating Gases

V. Engineering Aspects

VI. Examples of Applications of Gaseous Dielectrics

VII. Concluding Remarks

References


5 Thermionic Energy Conversion

I. Introduction

II. The Ideal Diode Thermionic Converter as a Reference Case

III. Phenomenological Description of Plasma Diode Thermionic Converter

IV. Fundamental Description of the Plasma Diode Thermionic Converter

V. Numerical Results

VI. Basic and Practical Frontiers

References


6 Single-Particle Detection: Gaseous Devices

I. Introduction

II. Conventional Radiation Detectors

III. Resonance Ionization of Gases

IV. Detection of Stable Atoms

V. Detection of Daughter Atoms in Radioactive Decay

References


7 Gas-Filled Radiation Detectors in High Energy Physics

I. Introduction

II. Principles of Operation of Multiwire Proportional and Drift Chambers

III. The Use of Drift and Multiwire Proportional Chambers in High Energy Physics Experiments

IV. Streamer Chambers

V. New Techniques for the 1980s

VI. Conclusions

References


8 Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy

I. Introduction

II. Experimental Method

III. Atomic Negative Ions

IV. Molecular Negative Ions

V. Conclusion and Prospects

References


9 Determination of Intermolecular Potentials

I. Introduction and Historical Background

II. Theoretical Calculations

III. Spectroscopic Observations

IV. Beam Scattering

V. Bulk Properties

VI. Discussion

References


10 Determination of Ion Molecular Potential Curves Using Photodissociative Processes

I. Introduction

II. Experimental Techniques

III. Types of Photodissociation Transitions

IV. Direct Photodissociation

V. Photopredissociation

VI. Conclusions

References


11 Determination of Negative Ion Thermochemical Data Using Ion-Neutral Reactions

I. Introduction

II. Electron Affinity

III. Negative Ion Bond Dissociation Energies

IV. Negative Ion Isomeric Species

V. Summary

References


12 The Study of Gas-Phase Chemical Reactions

I. Introduction

II. Techniques and Applications

III. Future Directions

References


13 Combustion and Flames

I. Introduction

II. Some Experimental Methods

III. Properties of Refractory Species

IV. Combustion Reactions

V. Concluding Remarks

References


14 Collision Phenomena in Electrical Discharge Lamps

I. Introduction

II. Classification of Electrical Discharge Lamps

III. Fundamental Basis for High Efficiency of Low Pressure Discharge Lamps

IV. Cross Sections of Importance

V. Ignition Phenomena

VI. Summary

References


15 Collision Kinetics in Gas Dynamics

I. Introduction

II. The Continuum under Expanded or Supersonic Free Jet

III. Applications of Free Jet Expansions

References


16 Military Applications of Atomic and Molecular Physics

I. Introduction

II. Atmospheric Modeling

III. Laser Applications

IV. High Energy Particle Beams

V. Plume Signatures

VI. Precision Timing

VII. Atomic Magnetometers

VIII. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Gyroscope

IX. Atomic Filters/Detectors

X. Conclusions

References

Appendix I Sources of Information on Atomic Collisions Cross Sections and Reaction Rates in the Gas Phase

Appendix II Sources of Information on Structural and Spectral Properties of Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

Index 429