ANOMALOUSLY HIGH POPULATION IN THE $J\equiv K$ ``METASTABLE'' ROTATIONAL LEVELS OF $H_{3}^{+}$ AND $CH_{3}^{+}$
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Date
1992
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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.
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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
Author Institution: Department of Chemistry and Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The University of Chicago