Possible reaction of atomic nitrogen with SF_x (X=1-5 and CF_x (X=1-3) fragments from N₂---SF₆ and N₂---CF₄ discharges

Abstract

Possible reactions of atomic nitrogen with SF_x (X=1-5) and CF_x (X=1-3) fragments resulting from discharges in N₂ an or CF₄ have been investigated using the flowing afterglow technique. It is shown that only in N₂&.sbnd;SF₆ discharges neutral NF is formed, by recording its fluorescence from the b ¹∑⁺ state of NF, presumably arising from the excitation transfer from N₂(A ³∑⁺_u) to NF. It is argued that the reaction product NF results, in all likehood, from fluorine abstraction by atomic nitrogen from SF₅.