POPULATIONS OF LOWER VIBRATIONAL LEVELS OF N-2(X-1-SIGMA(+)(G)) AND THEIR EFFECT ON SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRONS IN AIR PLASMA

Band intensities of N-2(C-3 Pi(u) --> B-3 Pi(g), V' = 0-4) were measur ed in the positive column of a direct-current discharge in air at a pr essure of 30-300 Pa and a discharge current of 20-110 mA. Based on gas temperatures and electric field strengths measured earlier, the popul ations of N-2(X-1 Sigma(g)(+), V = 0-4) levels were calculated by the Boltzmann equation for rate constants of processes involving electrons . The effect of the second kind of collisions of these molecules on th e rate constants of some processes involving electrons were analyzed.