Samenvatting

A high resolution infrared spectrum of species formed in a nitrogen-hydrogen plasma expansion was recorded. A cavity ring down detection scheme was used to record a rotationally resolved spectrum in the region from 3300 cm-1 to 3380 cm-1. Using the relative intensities and line positions it was determined that the recorded lines belong to the
(1<-0)v1, (1<-0)v3, and (2<-0)v4 rotation-vibration spectrum of ammonia at a rotational temperature of 300 K ± 30 K with the possibility of other temperature components. Given the high rotational temperature, the ammonia is most likely formed via surface catalysis of plasma products on the inner surface of the vacuum chamber and not in the plasma expansion.