This article is cited in 6 papers

Atoms, Spectra, and Radiation

Singlet molecular nitrogen in the Auroral ionosphere and under the conditions of laboratory discharge

A. S. Kirillov

Polar Geophysical Institute, Apatity, Murmanskaya obl.

Abstract: Using the suggested model of the electron kinetics of N$_2$ singlet states, the population of the vibrational levels in the molecular nitrogen states $(a')^1\Sigma^-_u$, $a^1\Pi_g$, and $w^1\Delta_u$ is calculated for the case when fast auroral electrons penetrate into the Earth’s ionosphere. It is shown for the first time that the population distribution of the vibrational levels $v$ = 0–6 in the state $a^1\Pi_g$ in the auroral ionosphere and also in a laboratory discharge varies with atmospheric pressure insignificantly. Similar calculations for pure nitrogen atmosphere show a considerable increase in the populations of lower vibrational levels ($v$ = 0–2) with rising pressure.

Received: 22.09.2010
Accepted: 18.04.2011

 English version: Technical Physics, 2011, 56:12, 1737–1744

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