Electron spin resonance detection of radicals and electrons condensed from water vapor after irradiation with 1 MeV helium ions
A stream of water vapor was irradiated in a "crossed-beam" experiment by 1 MeV He+ ions. After traversing the He+ ion beam, the vapor was condensed on a quartz tube at 77°K. The deposit so formed was then isolated under vacuum and transferred to an electron spin resonance (e.s.r.) spectrometer. E.s.r. spectra were observed that arise from species formed as a consequence of radiolysis in the vapor phase. Species trapped in the deposit were identified as HO2 radicals and electrons. Addition of CH3I and N2O gives results which indicate that hydrogen atoms were also formed although they do not become trapped in the deposit.The physical parameters of the experiment have been measured or calculated. These include the pressure and velocity of molecules in the vapor stream, and the time between irradiation and deposition on the cold finger.