Raman linewidths and rotationally inelastic collision rates in nitrogen

Using the N2–N2 interaction potential of van der Avoird et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 84, 1629 (1986)] rotationally inelastic collision cross sections have been computed within the infinite order sudden (IOS) approximation, assuming the molecules are distinguishable. Methods for enforcing detailed balance and correcting for effects of inelasticity, which are ignored in the IOS approximation, are considered, including the energy corrected sudden (ECS) method. Suitably averaged cross sections are compared with experimental Raman Q-branch linewidths for temperatures from 295 to 1500 K and with recently measured room temperature state-to-state rates. Agreement is rather good, especially if ECS corrections are applied.