Measurement of the recombination constant of atomic fluorine

An experimental determination was made of the recombination constant of atomic fluorine. It was found that at 300-500°K the constant representing recombination of fluorine atoms to form the fluorine molecule was K_F2 = (1–2)×10^–32 cm⁶/sec. The efficiencies of F, Ar, He, and CO₂ (relative to molecular fluorine) acting as third bodies in the recombination reaction was 40, 1.3, 0.7, and 10, respectively. The temperature dependence of the photodissociation cross section of fluorine was determined in the region of maximum absorption.