A MODEL FOR TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT COLLISIONAL QUENCHING OF NO A(2)SIGMA+

A model for the temperature-dependent electronic quenching of NO A2 SI GMA+ is presented. The model is appropriate for collision partners hav ing stable negative ions, which are predicted to have large quenching cross-sections. Colliders with relatively large negative electron affi nities are predicted to have cross-sections that are near-zero at room temperature and can increase dramatically at very high temperatures. A negligibly small electronic quenching cross-section is predicted for collision partners having negative ions that are unstable on a collis ional timescale. Results of the model are compared to experimentally m easured cross-sections for a number of species of interest in combusti on and aerothermodynamic applications.