Role played by the N2(A3Σu+) metastable in stationaryN2 and N2-O2 discharges

Abstract

The role played by the N2(A3Σu+) metastable on theoverall kinetics of N2 and N2-O2 stationary dischargesis illustrated by using a kinetic model based on the self-consistent solutions to theBoltzmann equation coupled to the rate balance equations for the vibrationallyand electronically excited molecules, atoms and charged particles, in whichthe sustaining electric field is self-consistently determined. It is shownthat together with the vibrational distribution ofN2(X1Σg+,v) molecules, the metastable stateN2(A3Σu+) plays a central role in the whole problem, sincesome important aspects of these discharges, such as ionization, gas phasechemistry and gas heating are associated with different processes involvingthe N2(A3Σu+) state.