Electron Energy Distributions and Collision Rates in Electrically Excited N 2 , CO, and C O 2

TLDR: In this article, the Boltzmann equation was used to calculate the electron energy distribution for a variety of gas mixtures and discharge conditions, and the results showed that electron-molecule vibrational and electronic excitation rates were in the 1-3eV range typical of electric discharges.

Abstract: Electron energy distributions have been obtained for electrically excited ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, CO, C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and their mixtures by numerically solving the Boltzmann equation for conditions typical of electric discharges. Reported electron cross-section data have been used in the calculation. The calculated distribution functions were found to be markedly non-Maxwellian, having energy variations which reflect the important electron-molecule energy exchange processes. Solution of the electron energy conservation equation using these distribution functions revealed that vibrational and electronic excitation of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, CO, and C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ dominates electron-molecule energy exchange processes for average electron energy in the 1-3-eV range typical of electric discharges. Electron-molecule vibrational excitation rates were also evaluated for a variety of gas mixtures and discharge conditions. The importance of these results to molecular gas-discharge lasers is discussed.