N2 (B, v'=0-12) Populations in Ar-N2 and N2 Flowing Afterglows at Atmospheric Gas Pressure

Production of N2(B,v') states is analysed from the N2, positive band intensity in Ar-N2 and N2 afterglows of microwave plasmas and in N2 Corona discharges. In Ar-N2 afterglows of microwave discharges, the N2(B,v') distribution depends on the N2 fraction in Ar. In pure N2 afterglows, it is found that the N2(B,v’=11) state is enhanced by the N+N atom recombination at pressure up to the atmospheric gas pressure. The other N2(B,v'>0) states are also produced in N2 and Ar-N2 Corona and microwave afterglows by the N+N atom recombination, via the N2(A3 +u, w3 u) attractive curves. It appears that relaxation of vibrational levels of N2(A) and N2(w ) states at the benefit of the N2 (B,v'=0) state is enhanced in Corona as in Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) afterglows.