Selfconsistent Electron Energy Distribution Functions in Non Equilibrium oxygen: Effects on the Dissociation Rate

Electron energy distribution functions (edf) in non equilibrium oxygen have been calculated by solving the Boltzmann equation coupled to a system of vibrational master equations. The results show the importance of both superelastic vibrational collisions and of the presence of oxygen atoms in affecting edf. The coupling between the Boltzmann equation and the system of vibrational master equations brings to a temporal evolution of edf, which progressively changes from a cold molecular gas situation (all molecules in the ground vibrational level) to a vibrationally excited molecular gas and finally to a gas composed by oxygen molecules and oxygen atoms. All electronic rate coefficients follow a temporal evolution. due to the corresponding evolution of edf. Finally the present results are used for discussing the dissociation rate of molecular oxygen in electrical discharges.