Calculation of electron impact inelastic cross sections and rate coefficients for diatomic molecules. Application to air molecules

A method based upon the modified Weighted Total Cross Section (WTCS) theory for the determination of electron impact excitation, ionization and dissoc iation cross sections and rate coefficients is proposed. An application to the main electronic states of diatomic molecules of the air (O-2, N-2 and N O) and the corresponding ions (O-2(+), N-2(+) and NO+) is given. The reacti on rate coefficients were calculated using one and two kinetic temperatures (theta(e) and theta(g) for electrons and heavy particles, respectively) an d were fitted in the Arrhenius form in the range 1500-15 000 K. This method can be easily extended to any diatomic molecule. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.