Enhanced UV emissions in active nitrogen and oxygen

Enhanced UV emissions are reported in a flowing afterglow of active nitrogen and undischarged oxygen, when discharged oxygen is added. Enhancement of the N2 second positive band system fluorescence, N2(C 3Πu, υ′ → B 3Πg, υ″) + hν, is reported for the first time in active N2 + O2. Interpretation and ramifications of N2(C 3Πu → B 3Πg) fluorescence increase in a nitrogen afterglow due to excited O2 are reported on. It is deduced that the well-known metastable energy donor, N2(A3Σu+), is also an efficient energy acceptor from excited O2. In addition, this work leads to determination of a rate constant estimate for the reaction {N2(A3Σu+)+O2(a1Δg)}, as well as to different interpretations of observations in various research areas.