Kinetics of the (A < sup> 3 Sigma < inf> u < sup> + , v=0) state of N < inf> 2 in the near afterglow of a nitrogen pulsed discharge

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-14-1994

Abstract

The absolute densities of the nitrogen metastable molecules N2(A3 Sigma u+, v=0) were measured as a function of time using a high resolution laser absorption within the first positive system (B3 Pi g(v=2) from A3 Sigma u+(v=0)) in a stationary afterglow of the pure nitrogen pulsed electric discharge. The experiments were performed at various pressures (0.25-1.25 Torr), discharge currents (0.4-1.3 A) and pulse lengths (5-30 mu s). The lifetimes and populations are in the range 100-470 mu s and (0.3-2.7)∗1012 cm-3 respectively. The postulated kinetic model describes the measured lifetimes within an experimental error. The model takes into consideration the loss of N2(A) metastables due to energy pooling, quenching by nitrogen atoms and diffusion to the walls. Calculations of dissociation rates and nitrogen atom densities are based on the vibrational excitation of the ground electronic state N2(X). © 1994 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Publication Title

Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics

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