New N2(C3 u, v) collision quenching and vibrational relaxation rate constants: 2. PG emission diagnostics of high-pressure discharges

The present paper deals with the determination of discharge parameters using N2(C 3u, v) populations deduced from 2.PG emission spectra, focusing on the influence of N2(C 3u, v) collision rate coefficients on these determinations. In particular it is shown that the new set of quenching and vibrational relaxation rate coefficients of N2(C 3u, v = 0-4) vibronic levels recently measured by optical-optical double resonance laser induced fluorescence (LIF) have a large effect on discharge parameter determination in high-pressure discharges. In the present paper we explore this effect, evidencing the differences with respect to the old data set case, in both simulated and real cases of N2(C 3u, v) vibrational distributions measured at high pressure in a dielectric barrier discharge. Finally we point out the improved potentiality of 2.PG spectroscopy as a diagnostic technique: with the new rate coefficients, and measurement of the N2(C 3u, v) distribution up to at least v = 3, it is possible to have a quasi-independent evaluation of the electron temperature and of the first level vibrational temperature of the N2 ground state.