Experimental verification of the vibration–vibration exchange quasi-steady state in N2+ CO mixtures

Abstract

Using a discharge–flow system at 3 Torr pressure, small quantities of CO were added to vibrationally excited N₂. At a residence time of 13 ms, the vibrational temperatures of N₂ and CO were measured using an electron beam probe and observation of infrared radiation, respectively. The CO partial pressure was varied from 1 to 100 mTorr; over the entire range a non equilibrium quasi-steady state relationship was observed, in good quantitative agreement with theoretical prediction.