Reaction rate constant for 2N2(A 3Σu+)→N2(C 3Πu) + N2(X1Σg+, ν′ > 0)

Absolute emission intensities of the Vegard-Kaplan and second positive bands were measured during the decay period of plasmas produced in nitrogen for pressures varying from 1 to 3 torr. The reaction rate constant k for the metastable-metastable energy pooling reaction N2(A3Σu+) + N2(A 3Σu+) → N2(C3Πu) + N2*(X) was found to be k = (2.6−1.4;+2) × 10−10cm3sec−1per molecule in nitrogen plasmas at 300°K. The value of k for a plasma temperature of 98°K was, within experimental errors, equal to the value obtained at 300°K.