Interaction of slow electrons with high-pressure gases (Quasi-liquids). Synthesis of our knowledge on slow electron-molecule interactions. Progress report for year ending June 15, 1984

A crucial step in efforts to develop not only a coherent picture of radiation interaction with matter, but also to understand radiation effects and mechanisms, as well as the effects of chemical pollutants and toxic compounds, is to relate the often abundant knowledge on isolated molecules (low pressure gases) to that on liquids or solids. To understand the roles of the physical and chemical properties of molecules in biological reactions, the way these isolated-molecule properties change as molecules are embedded in gradually thicker and thicker (denser and denser) gaseous and, finally, liquid environments must be known. The work reported here, carried out both at the Physics Department of the University of Tennessee and at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory addresses itself to this question. At both places, high pressure (40 to approx. 8000 kPa) electron swarm experiments are currently in operation yielding the first information as to the effects of the density and nature of the environment on fundamental electron-molecule interaction processes at densities intermediate to those corresponding to low pressure gases and liquids, and the gradual transition from isolated molecule to condensed phase behavior. Basic physical data on the electronic states of atmospheric halocarbons in general, and of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particular were also studied. Such data are of special significance because of the occurrence of these molecules in the atmosphere, and are presently lacking