Relaxation processes of vibrationally excited species in the mesosphere and thermosphere

Valerie I. Lang

doi:10.1117/12.137841

21 September 1992 Relaxation processes of vibrationally excited species in the mesosphere and thermosphere

Valerie I. Lang

Proceedings Volume 1687, Characterization, Propagation, and Simulation of Sources and Backgrounds II; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.137841
Event: Aerospace Sensing, 1992, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

A critical review of rate constants for collisional relaxation processes and spontaneous emission processes in the non-LTE environment between 50 and 300 km is in progress. The infrared radiators considered are CO, H₂O, O₃, NO, CO₂, OH and CH₄. The last major compilation of vibrational relaxation rates relevant to the atmosphere was published by Taylor in 1974. The advent of laser-induced fluorescence techniques during the past two decades has greatly improved the state of knowledge regarding level specific collisional deactivation processes. Additionally, improved measurements of the rovibrational band strengths for H₂O, O₃ and CH₄ have resulted in improved Einstein A coefficients for these species. The rate constants under review are important parameters in models used to predict the dissipation of radiation entering the Earth's atmosphere as sunshine or energetic electrons. They are fundamental quantities in background radiance calculations. The effect of revising the rate coefficients has been illustrated using the Strategic High- Altitude Atmospheric Radiance Code (SHARC 2.0).

Citation Download Citation

Valerie I. Lang "Relaxation processes of vibrationally excited species in the mesosphere and thermosphere", Proc. SPIE 1687, Characterization, Propagation, and Simulation of Sources and Backgrounds II, (21 September 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.137841

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