Abstract
Energetic atoms influence the composition, the thermal structure and the evolution of the upper atmosphere. We investigate the slowing of energetic O(3P) atoms by elastic and inelastic collisions with N2. Results of quantum mechanical and semiclassical calculations of energy and angle‐resolved cross sections are presented for elastic and inelastic collision of O(3P) with N2. A general analytical expression is developed for the kernel of the Boltzmann equation for the energy distribution function which is valid for elastic and inelastic collisions and incorporates both the angle and the energy dependence of the cross sections. The Boltzmann kernel for the energy relaxation of fast O(3P) atoms is evaluated using the computed cross sections. We report values of the collision frequency, the average energy loss in elastic and inelastic collisions with N2, and the mean time and the number of collisions required to thermalize initially energetic O(3P) atoms. We compare the efficiencies of elastic and inelastic collisions in slowing down fast O(3P) atoms. These data are basic to the development of a reliable model of the atmospheric effects of the hot oxygen atoms produced by dissociative recombination, collisional quenching, photodissociation and photoelectron impact dissociation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
