Non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics of CO pumped by vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules: General theoretical considerations

The non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics of CO pumped by vibrationally excited N₂ has been calculated by solving the vibrational master equations for both N₂ and CO molecules, linked by V-V (N₂CO) energy exchange processes. The results have been obtained for different values of the parameters governing the kinetics (in particular gas temperature, initial vibrational content of N₂, different mixing ratios N₂/CO). Emphasis is also given to dissipative channels present in CO, due to bimolecular reactions involving highly vibrationally excited CO molecules. The results shows the essential features of the temporal evolution of CO and N₂ vibrational distribution as well as the strong coupling existing between them.