Knowledge Bank

Absolute intensities of bands emitted by the $A3\Sigma u+$, and the $B3\Pi g$ states of $N2$ were measured in the Lewis-Rayleigh afterglow produced by a microwave discharge in pure nitrogen and nitrogen-rare gas mixtures. From the vibrational distribution of $N2(A,v=0\to 5)$ as a function of pressure, nitrogen atom concentration, and composition, vibrational relaxation rate constants were derived. Aspects of the mechanism of the nitrogen afterglow will be discussed.