Electron energy transfer rate coefficients of carbon dioxide

Abstract

An extensive set of integral, cross sections (ICSs) for electron impact vibrational excitation of the CO2 molecule has been used to calculate electron energy transfer rate coefficients. The ICSs for electron impact symmetric stretch vibrational excitation are measured by using a high resolution double trochoidal electron spectrometer, while ICSs for the bending and asymmetric vibrations have been adopted from previous publications. Calculations of the energy transfer rate coefficients are performed for the equilibrium, conditions in the mean electron energy range from 0 to 11 eV. By use of extended Monte Carlo simulations, electron energy distribution functions (EEDFs) and electron energy transfer rate coefficients are determined in the nonequilibrium conditions, for low and moderate values of the electric field over gas number density ratios, EIN, up to 150 Td. Contributions of higher vibrational levels are emphasized. The results are compared with the data available in the literature. © 2010 American Chemical Society.