Electron energy transfer rate coefficients of carbon dioxide.

An extensive set of integral cross sections (ICSs) for electron impact vibrational excitation of the CO(2) molecule has been used to calculate electron energy transfer rate coefficients. The ICSs for electron impact symmetric stretch vibrational excitation are measured by using a high resolution double trochoidal electron spectrometer, while ICSs for the bending and asymmetric vibrations have been adopted from previous publications. Calculations of the energy transfer rate coefficients are performed for the equilibrium conditions in the mean electron energy range from 0 to 11 eV. By use of extended Monte Carlo simulations, electron energy distribution functions (EEDFs) and electron energy transfer rate coefficients are determined in the nonequilibrium conditions, for low and moderate values of the electric field over gas number density ratios, E/N, up to 150 Td. Contributions of higher vibrational levels are emphasized. The results are compared with the data available in the literature.

Resonant vibrational excitation and de-excitation of CO(v) by low energy electrons.

Integral cross sections and rate coefficients for vibrational excitation of the excited carbon-monoxide molecule, via the (2)Pi shape resonance in the energy region from 0 to 5 eV have been calculated. Cross sections are calculated by using our recently measured cross sections for the ground level CO excitation and the most recent cross sections for elastic electron scattering, applying the principle of detailed balance. Rate coefficients are calculated for Maxwellian electron energy distribution, with mean electron energies below 5 eV. By using extended Monte Carlo simulations, electron energy distribution functions (EEDF) and rate coefficients are determined in nonequilibrium conditions, in the presence of homogeneous external electric field. Nonequilibrium rates are calculated for typical, moderate values of the electric field over gas number density ratios, E/N, from 1 to 220 Td. Maxwellian and nonequilibrium rate coefficients are compared and the difference is attributed to a specific shape of the electron energy distribution functions under considered conditions.

Resonant vibrational excitation and de-excitation of N2(v) by low-energy electrons.

We have calculated cross sections and rate coefficients for low-energy electron impact excitation of the nitrogen molecule from vibrationally excited levels N2(v) 1-8. Calculations are performed in the 2Pig shape resonance energy region, from 0 to 5 eV. The cross sections are determined by using our recent integral cross section measurements of the ground level vibrational excitation and the most recent cross sections for elastic electron scattering, applying the principle of detailed balance. The rate coefficient calculations are performed for the Maxwellian electron energy distribution. By using extended Monte Carlo simulations, the electron energy distribution functions (EEDF) and the rate coefficients are also determined for the nonequilibrium conditions, in the presence of the homogeneous external electric field for the typical, moderate values of the electric field over gas number density ratios, E/N.