Vibrational population of the O2(b1Σg+) state in a low-pressure oxygen pulsed discharge

The study of the vibrational state population of the O-2(b(1)Sigma (+)(g)) metastable state in a pure oxygen DC pulsed discharge is presented. The vibrational temperature is evaluated from the relative populations of v = 0, 1 and 2 states. The populations are determined from the intensities of (0-0), (1-1), (1-0) and (2-1) transitions of the atmospheric system. The most intensive (0-0) and (1-1) bands are used in the time-resolved measurements in order to determine the time evolution of the vibrational temperature during the discharge pulse.