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Title: A study of vibrationally excited N2(+) ions in the daytime thermosphere

Miscellaneous ·
OSTI ID:6452715

The role of vibrationally excited N2(+) ions in the daytime thermosphere is studied. Ionization rates of the neutrals N2(+), O2(+), and O by solar extreme ultraviolet radiations with wavelengths below lambda 1050A and by impact of photoelectrons with energies between 10 to 500 eV are calculated. A photochemical model with ambipolar diffusion of ions included is used to obtain the altitude profiles of N2(+), O2(+), O(+), O(+)(P-2), O(+)(D-2), O2(+)(a(sup 4)pi(sub u)), NO(+), and N(+) ion densities. Vibrational level densities and vibrational distribution of the X(sup 2)((sigma(sub g)))(sup +), A(sup 2)pi(sub u), and B(sup 2)((sigma(sub u)))(sup +) electronic states of N2(+) ions are then calculated by taking into consideration the direct ionization-excitation of N2(+) ions by solar extreme ultraviolet radiations and photoelectron impacts, fluorescent scattering of sunlight, chemical reactions, collision with neutrals, and radiative emissions. Column emission rates for the (0,0) band at lambda 3914A, (0,1) band at lambda 4277A, (1,2) band at lambda 4236A, and (2,3) band at lambda 4199A of the N2(+) first negative band system are then computed and compared with rocket flight data.

Research Organization:
Pittsburgh Univ., PA (United States)
OSTI ID:
6452715
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Ph.D. Thesis
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English