Vol. 38, issue 09, article # 11

Abstract:

The kinetics processes of triplet bands of molecular nitrogen were studied in air at pressures of 0.03–1 Torr. The dependences of the ratios of the spectral density of radiation energy of four bands of the first positive system of nitrogen to two bands of the second positive system of nitrogen are demonstrated. The results of simulation and experimental measurements show an increase in the ratio of the intensities of the bands of the first positive system to the intensities of the second positive system with a decrease in the pressure. It was found that this is due to an increase in the rate of quenching of the B³Π_g state by nitrogen molecules with an increase in atmospheric density. These results explain the reason for the change in the color of red sprites with a decrease in the altitude above sea level starting from about 50 km.

Keywords:

air discharge, molecular nitrogen triplet state, plasma diffuse jet, simulation, experiment

Figures:

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