Vibrational Energy Relaxation and Dissociation in N2

Abstract : A master equation is solved for a nitrogen discharge to determine the vibrational energy relaxation and dissociation. The master equation includes the effects of electron collisions with the molecule, the vibrational-vibrational energy exchange and vibrational-translational energy conversion between the molecules. The establishment of a vibrational distribution is described by a vibrational temperature which is nearly Boltzman and its obtained from the density of 31 vibrational levels. For most conditions the dissociation rate via the vibrational ladder is higher for higher vibrational temperatures. The vibrational temperature is generally depressed due to V-V and T-V effects.