N2+ Meinel band quenching

We have measured the rate coefficients for quenching the A 2Πu state of N2+ by air to be (7.0±0.4), (7.5±1.0), and (7.0±1.0)×10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for vibrational levels 2–4, respectively. Rate coefficients for quenching vibrational level 2 by molecular nitrogen and oxygen are (7.5±0.8) and (6.2±0.6)×10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. Our results show that Meinel-band quenching becomes significant at altitudes below100 km.