Generation of vibrationally excited H2 molecules in a hydrogen stream flowing through a cesium-hydrogen discharge

A theoretical analysis is made of the electronic-vibrational kinetics in a stream of molecular hydrogen flowing through a cesium-hydrogen discharge, An analysis is made of the vibrational pumping of hydrogen molecules in the discharge and vibrational relaxation is studied in the cold flow zone beyond the discharge. It is shown that a very substantial increase in the concentration of vibrationally excited H-2 molecules may be achieved in the old zone. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7850(97)00601-0].