Rate coefficients for resonant vibrational excitation of N<inf>2</inf>

Abstract

Rate coefficients for vibrational excitation of the nitrogen molecule, via the 2Πg shape resonance in the energy region from 0 to 5 eV have been calculated. Calculations are performed for Maxwellian electron energy distribution by using recent experimentally measured differential cross sections for excitation of the first ten vibrational levels and for elastic scattering. By using extended Monte Carlo simulations the electron energy distribution functions (EEDF) and rate coefficients are determined in non-equilibrium conditions, in a presence of homogenous electric field for typical, moderate values of the electric field over gas number density ratios, E/N. A great difference between Maxwellian and non-equilibrium rate coefficients was found due to a very specific shape of the electron energy distribution function in nitrogen under the considered conditions. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.