Recombination of oxygen atoms on the surface of oxidized polycrystalline nickel-temperature and pressure dependences

The recombination of neutral oxygen atoms in the ground state on the oxidized nickel samples was studied experimentally in the range of pressures where the maximum density occurs in weakly ionized low-pressure oxygen plasma, i.e. between 40 and 200 Pa. The recombination coefficient was determined in the flowing afterglow. The source of oxygen atoms was plasma sustained in a quartz tube of inner diameter 4.7 mm by a microwave discharge in the surfatron mode. The recombination coefficient was determined in the afterglow chamber, which was a Pyrex tube with an inner diameter of 36 mm. The density of oxygen atoms in the afterglow chamber was varied by adjusting the discharge power, the gas flow, the pressure, and the position of a recombinator. Such flexibility of the experimental system enabled adjustment of the temperature of the oxidized nickel samples independently from the O-atom density in its vicinity or other parameters. The density of oxygen atoms in the afterglow chamber at various system parameters was determined by the Sorli method, which is reliable, and has an accuracy of about 20%. The recombination coefficient was determined by calorimetry. The coefficient was inversely proportional to the square root of the pressure and exponentially to the sample temperature. Systematic measurements performed at various pressures and temperatures enabled empirical formula, which were explained qualitatively by recombination kinetics.