Oxygen molecule dissociation in a microwave discharge in air
Abstract
The mechanism of O2 molecule dissociation due to electron impact in a microwave discharge in air is investigated theoretically assuming a wavelength of 2.2 cm, an electric field intensity amplitude of 1.5-3 kV/cm, and a gas pressure of 2-18 torr. The analysis is based on the numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation for a nonequilibrium electron energy distribution function. Allowance is made for elastic electron scattering by O2 and N2 molecules, electron impact excitation of their rotational, vibrational, and electron levels, and ionization.
- Publication:
-
Pisma v Zhurnal Tekhnischeskoi Fiziki
- Pub Date:
- March 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990PZhTF..16....4A
- Keywords:
-
- Electron Impact;
- Gas Dissociation;
- Oxygen;
- Space Plasmas;
- Boltzmann Distribution;
- Electron Scattering;
- Molecular Energy Levels;
- Nitrogen;
- Geophysics