Effects of vibrational enhancement of N2on the cooling rate of ionospheric thermal electrons

摘要: This study shows that the cooling rate of ionospheric thermal electrons by molecular nitrogen may be reduced more than a factor 3 as result enhanced vibrational excitation N2 from number chemical sources. Moreover, under conditions F region electron densities (Ne > 106 cm−3), act small net source rather sink energy. If most commonly used rates are correct, influence enhancement on temperature is because through fine structure O dominant below altitude F2 peak density. However, recent measurements indicate cross sections to evaluate have been too and other large similar factor. Under these circumstances, would dominant, neglect lead an underestimate about 100°K in temperatures throughout ionosphere at solar minimum. The effect maximum confined density ion cooling. Two new sources evaluated. One these, photoelectron subsequent deactivation A, B, C, W triplet states found major quanta. several times larger direct (2.5 eV) above 250 km. second source, charge exchange between N2+ N2, comparable high altitudes but 200