Generation and loss of nitrogen metastables formed by an electric arc at one atmosphere

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Abstract
Nitrogen at one atmosphere is activated by passing the fast flowing gas along the column of an electric are stabilized by rotating the flow by means of helically-wound grooves in the wall of its chamber. The spatial concentration of metastable species is measured downstream by chemical colourimetry and by isothormal calorimetry. The metastable molocules, formed by association of N atoms, are predominantly in the A(3Σu +) state. Their average concentrations near the chamber exit is found to be of the order 1015 molecules/cm3. From decay theory, the observed decay rate, and the measured potential energy transfer efficiencies of the surface of the calorimeter and of the glass wall, the average number of molecular collisions required to deactivate a metastable molecule in the gas is found to be ∼108 at 1000°K, illustrating their exceptionally high stability. The temperature dependence of the de-activation coefficient is discussed.

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