Excitation of the first negative system of nitrogen bands in a discharge and in the afterglow in an Ar-N-2 mixture

Spectroscopic study of the decay of the B(2)Sigma(u)(+) State of a N-2(+) i on in the afterglow of the positive column of a low-pressure glow discharge in an Ar-N-2 mixture with nitrogen content of 1% is carried out. The typic al decay time is similar to 1 ms, which is indicative of the presence of th e processes of excitation of the state involving long-lived particles, The reaction Ar+ + N-2 (X(1)Sigma(g)(+), v greater than or equal to 11) --> Ar + N-2(+) (B(2)Sigma(u)(+)), adequately describing all the regularities obse rved, is proposed for the process. The rate constant of this reaction is es timated as k approximate to 3 x 10(-10) cm(3)/s. The process noted is the b asic mechanism for the excitation of N-2(+) (B) not only in the afterglow, but also in the phase of discharge.