Vibrational and chemical kinetics in plasma of CO containing gases

Abstract

This paper discusses the experimental results pointing to the efficient channel of the CO vibrational to the C2 electron energy transfer. The radiation spectra of e3Π, C1Π, D1Σ states of C2 molecules were investigated and the relation of their kinetics to vibrational excitation of CO (X1Σ, v) molecules in the He-CO-O2 gas discharge plasma was discussed. The rate constant for VE- process CO (X1Σ, v≥ 25) + C2 → CO(X1Σ) + C2(D1Σu), was estimated, and kvE ~ 10−14 cm3/c.