Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy of H3+ molecular ion

Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy in the 1800-4000 cm(-1) region has been applied to a kinetic study of a pulsed discharge in He/H-2) mixture. Only several low J and K transitions of the v(2) band of H-3(+), together with the atomic lines of neutral helium and hydrogen, were found in the spectrum. The rotational temperature of H-3(+) was determined to be 135 +/- 37 K. The time- resolved profiles show excitation of helium, followed by formation of excited H-3(+) and then of a hydrogen atom. Emission from atomic hydrogen in the n = 5 state appeared in afterglow plasma, implying occurrence of an H-3(+) and electron recombination process. 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.