Population of the Metastable A3Σu State of Molecular Nitrogen under Conditions of Plasma Chemical Synthesis of Metal Nitrides

Abstract

The absolute population of the B³Π_g state of molecular nitrogen is calculated from the intensity of electron-vibrational bands of the first positive system. The absolute population of the metastable A³Σ_u state of nitrogen molecules is calculated based on the solution of the balance equation. It is established that the population of the metastable state of molecular nitrogen increases with a decrease in the pressure and increase in the current intensity of the glow discharge. The results of determining the population of the A³Σ_u state of nitrogen molecules under conditions of simultaneous excitation of glow and vacuum arc discharges are presented.