Isotopic study of the formation of the azide radical (N3)

Solid molecular nitrogen (N2) may exist in large abundances in various low-temperature interstellar and solar system environments. Intense radiation fields can cause molecular nitrogen ice to undergo chemical alterations by cleaving the nitrogen–nitrogen triple bond. We have simulated this chemical processing by carrying out radiolysis experiments using energetic electrons on molecular nitrogen ice at 10 K that has been labeled with different isotopes. We have identified four isotopologues of the azide radical (N3) via infrared spectroscopy. The 14N3 radical was detected by a doublet that has peaks centered at 1657 and 1652 cm−1. The formation dynamics are also investigated.