A Novel Technique For The Measurement Of Photoenhanced Electron Attachment: Implications For An Optically-controlled Diffuse Discharge Opening Switch

Enhanced electron attachment to transient electron attaching species, such as electronically-excited molecules produced via laser irradiation, could be employed to switch conduction/insulation properties of a gaseous medium and has potential applications in diffuse-discharge opening switches. In this paper, we discuss a new technique that is capable of measurement of enhanced electron attachment to very short-lived (lifetime < 10/sup -8/s) electron attaching species. We also report measurements carried out using this technique on superexcited states (electronically-excited states lying above the first ionization threshold) of triethylamine and nitric oxide; these exhibit several orders of magnitude enhancement in electron attachment compared to the corresponding ground electronic states. Implications of such measurements for an optically-controlled diffuse discharge opening switch are indicated.