The characteristics of electrons and vibrational distributions of molecules in an atmospheric-pressure liquid-cathode dc discharge in air

Abstract

Results are given of the calculation of vibrational distribution of N2, O2, and H2O molecules and of electron energy distribution functions in the plasma of atmospheric-pressure dc discharge with a distilled-water cathode. The system of equations of vibrational kinetics is solved simultaneously with the Boltzmann equation using the measured values of reduced electric-field strength, of discharge current density, of gas temperature, and of band intensities of the second positive system of N2 molecules.