# ANOMALOUSLY HIGH POPULATION IN THE $J\equiv K$ METASTABLE'' ROTATIONAL LEVELS OF $H_{3}^{+}$ AND $CH_{3}^{+}$

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 Title: ANOMALOUSLY HIGH POPULATION IN THE $J\equiv K$ METASTABLE'' ROTATIONAL LEVELS OF $H_{3}^{+}$ AND $CH_{3}^{+}$ Creators: Gabrys, C. M.; Uy, Dairene; Jagod, M.- F.; Oka, T. Issue Date: 1992 Publisher: Ohio State University Abstract: During our extensive studies on the spectra of $H_{3}^{+}$ and $CH_{3}^{+}$ using He-dominated AC plasmas, we noted that high rotational levels with $j\cong k$ are anomalously populated. For example, the $^{\prime} R(13,13)$ transition of $H_{3}^{+}$ is clearly observed in spite of the high rotational energy ($> 5500$ K), The intensity of the signal is orders of magnitude higher than that expected from thermal equilibrium with the usual rotational temperature of $-500^{\circ} K$, White similar metastability has been reported for interstellar $NH_{3}$ and has been well $understood,^{1}$ observing the same effect in laboratory plasmas is unexpected. A summary of the observed results will be presented. Description: 1. A.C. Cheung, D.M. Rank, C.H. Townes, S. H. Knowles, and W.T. Sullivan, III, Astrophys J. 157 , L13 (1969). Author Institution: Department of Chemistry and Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The University of Chicago URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1811/12691 Other Identifiers: 1992-MF-03