Time and space resolved analysis of N2(C 3$\Pi$u) vibrational distributions in pulsed positive corona discharge

Abstract

Time- and space-resolved emission spectroscopy was applied to study the N2(C 3Πu→B3Πg) and NO(A 2Σ+→X 2Πr) emission induced by pulsed positive primary streamers in coaxial geometry generated in high-purity nitrogen. To the best of our knowledge, first complete vibrational distributions of the N2(C 3Πu) electronic state were obtained under pulsed positive streamer discharge conditions in high-pressure nitrogen. On the basis of kinetic modelling we have obtained quenching rate constants for v = 1-4 vibrational levels of N2(C3Πu) state by N2: kQ(v = 1) = (2.9±0.4)×10-11cm3s-1, kQ(v = 2) = (4.3±0.6)×10-11cm3 s-1, kQ(v = 3) = (4.8±0.8)×10-11 cm3s-1,kQ(v = 4) = (4.9±0.9)×10-11 cm3s-1.