Resonant vibrational excitation/de-excitation of N-2(v) by electrons

In this paper we have applied a semi-empirical theory of Mihajlov and Pivov ar to calculate the cross sections and rate coefficients for excitation fro m one vibrationally excited level (v) of nitrogen to another (k). Calculati ons were performed for 0 less than or equal to v, k less than or equal to 8 , which is the limit set by the applicability of the model. The semi-empiri cal model assumes that the process of excitation to a higher vibrationally excited state may be split into two separate parts, which is justified if t he lifetime of the negative ion compound state is much longer than the flig ht time of the projectile electron across the dimension of the molecule. Th e semi-empirical model calculations were based on the best available experi mental data for elastic scattering of electrons and vibrational excitation from the ground state. Results. for all. combinations of the vibrational qu antum numbers were obtained, Both Maxwellian and non-equilibrium rate coeff icients were determined and it was found that there is a great difference b etween the two sets of coefficients due to a very specific shape of the ele ctron energy distribution function in nitrogen at moderate E/N (where E: is electric field and N is gas number density).