Rate coefficients for electron impact excitation of N<inf>2</inf>

Abstract

Rate coefficients for electron impact excitation of the nitrogen molecule have been determined. Calculations have been performed for all relevant non-elastic processes: rotational excitation, vibrational excitation, electronic excitation into singlet and triplet states and particularly for dissociation and ionization. The rate coefficients have been determined for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. For the equilibrium conditions the Maxwellian electron energy distribution function has been used for determining rate coefficients in the energy region from 0 to 17 eV. In the case of the non-equilibrium conditions, where the homogenous electric and magnetic fields are present, we have calculated electron energy distribution functions needed for determining rate coefficients by use of a Monte Carlo simulation developed in our laboratory. The results for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium rate coefficients are presented in the paper and similarities and differences between them have been discussed.