New electron energy transfer and cooling rates by excitation of O2

Abstract

In this work I present the results of a study of the electron cooling rate, the production rates of vibrationally excited O2, and the production frequency of the O2 vibrational quanta arising from the collisions of electrons with O2 molecules as functions of the electron temperature. The electron energy transfer and cooling rates by vibrational excitation of O2 have been calculated and fitted to analytical expressions by use of the revised vibrationally excited O2 cross sections. These new analytical expressions are available to the researcher for quick reference and accurate computer modeling with a minimum of calculations. It is also shown that the currently accepted rate of electron energy loss associated with rotational transitions in O2 must be decreased by a factor of 13.