Quantitative Evaluation of the Densities of Ar-N\(_2\) and N\(_2\) Flowing Afterglows at Atmospheric Gas Pressure

Abstract

Recombination of N- atoms in N2 flowing afterglows is well characterized by optical emission of the N2, positive yellow band at 580 nm which is considered as a signature of N-atoms in the afterglow at reduced and high gas pressures. Production of N₂(B,v') states are analyzed from the N₂, positive band intensity in Ar-N₂ and N₂ afterglows of microwave plasmas and in N₂ Corona discharges. In Ar-N₂ afterglows of microwave discharges, the N₂(B,v') distribution depends on the N₂ fraction in Ar. In pure N₂ afterglows, it is found that the N₂(B,v'=11) state is enhanced by the N+N atom recombination at pressure up to the atmospheric gas pressure. The other N₂(B,v'>0) states are also produced in N₂ and Ar-N₂ Corona and microwave afterglows by the N+N atom recombination, via the N₂(A³\(\Sigma^+u,w^3\Delta u\))attractive curves. It appears that the relaxation of vibrational levels of N₂(A) and N₂(w) states at the benefit of the N₂(B,v'=0) state is enhanced in Corona as in Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) afterglows.