Self-consistent model of chemical, vibrational, electron kinetics in nozzle expansion

A self-consistent model to describe vibrational, electronically excited states (master equations) and free electron kinetics (Boltzmann equation) has been applied to study N-2 expansion through a converging-diverging conic nozzle, Strong departures from equilibrium can be observed for both vibrational, electronically excited states and electron energy distributions. In particular, the role of electronically excited states of nitrogen molecules and free elections has been investigated, The strong interaction between these two systems, by means of inelastic and superelastic collisions, influences not only the internal state kinetics, but also the macroscopic quantities such as Mach number and gas temperature profile.