RECOMBINATION IN THE POSITIVE COLUMN OF AN ARGON DISCHARGE.

The coefficient of dissociative recombination is measured in the positive column of a discharge in argon at pressures in the range pR equals 12-150 torr-cm and at electron densities in the range n equals 10**1**1-10**1**3 cm** minus **3. An approximate expression is given for the temperature dependence of the recombination coefficient found for electron temperatures in the range 5000-20,000 degree K. The recombination coefficient varies with the pressure and the electron density. It is suggested that the observed behavior can be explained on the basis of the dissociation of molecular ions by electron impact.