New N₂(C ³Πu,v) collision quenching and vibrational relaxation rate constants: 2. PG emission diagnostics of high-pressure discharges

The present paper deals with the determination of discharge parameters using N 2 ( C 3 Π u , v ) populations deduced from 2.PG emission spectra, focusing on the influence of N 2 ( C 3 Π u , v ) collision rate coefficients on these determinations. In particular it is shown that the new set of quenching and vibrational relaxation rate coefficients of N 2 ( C 3 Π u , v = 0–4) vibronic levels recently measured by optical–optical double resonance laser induced fluorescence (LIF) have a large effect on discharge parameter determination in high-pressure discharges. In the present paper we explore this effect, evidencing the differences with respect to the old data set case, in both simulated and real cases of N 2 ( C 3 Π u , v ) vibrational distributions measured at high pressure in a dielectric barrier discharge. Finally we point out the improved potentiality of 2.PG spectroscopy as a diagnostic technique: with the new rate coefficients, and measurement of the N 2 ( C 3 Π u , v ) distribution up to at least v = 3, it is possible to have a quasi-independent evaluation of the electron temperature and of the first level vibrational temperature of the N 2 ground state.