New electron energy transfer rates for vibrational excitation of N<sub>2</sub>

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we present the results of a study of the electron cooling rate, the production rates of vibrationally excited N 2 v , and the production frequency of the N 2 vibrational quanta arising from the collisions of electrons with unexcited N 2 0 and vibrationally excited N 2 1 molecules as functions of the electron temperature. The electron energy transfer rates for vibrational excitation of N 2 have been calculated and ®t to analytical expressions by use of the revised vibrationally excited N 2 cross sections. These new analytical expressions are available to the researcher for quick reference and accurate computer modeling with a minimum of calculations.

Understanding the Role of Electron-driven Processes in Atmospheric Behaviour

“…These are from Stubbe and Varnum [2], Newton et al [3] and Pavlov [1,7]. These are from Stubbe and Varnum [2], Newton et al [3] and Pavlov [1,7].…”

“…Pavolv [1,7] gives a formula for an electron energy transfer rate Q 0ν (per molecule) for the transition 0 → ν:…”

“…Note that in practice we determine the electron energy transfer rate (Q) rather than the electron cooling rate (L), because L depends on quantities which are altitude dependent [1]. The electron temperature is, in turn, influenced by the interaction between electrons and neutral molecules, which play an important role in the cooling of electrons in the ionosphere.…”

“…This code employs standard formulae [1,2,3] to calculate Q as a function of electron temperature T e , given the relevant electron-impact vibrational excitation cross sections. The first of these programs is rather limited in scope, being employed to specifically study electron energy transfer rates (Q) for vibrational excitation of molecules.…”

Comment on “Nonlinear electron heating by resonant shear Alfvén waves in the ionosphere” by J. Y. Lu et al.

“…The reason why the authors' computation of T e is too large by 2 orders of magnitude is that the authors have neglected inelastic collisions with the neutrals. They use the elastic electron cooling rate, 2ν e ( T e − T n ) m e / m n , when they should use inelastic cooling rates, which are roughly 150 times larger [e.g., Gurevich , 1978; Schunk and Nagy , 2000, 1978; St.‐Maurice , 1990; Robinson , 1986; Dimant and Milikh , 2003; Pavlov , 1998a, 1998b]. For this reason, Lu et al [2005], [2005, equation (3)] yields T e values roughly 150 times larger than they should be.…”