Dissociation and recombination of oxygen atoms produced in a microwave discharge. Part II. Theoretical calculations

In this study, the degree of dissociation and recombination of oxygen atoms produced by a microwave discharge in oxygen is examined by comparing a theoretical model of the kinetic mechanisms to chemical titration data. The results show that a one-dimensional, temperature-dependent model of the neutral species of the system can predict the oxygen atom concentration profile as measured by nitrogen dioxide titration. The model also indicates that the temperature of the gas is approximately 1000 K and that an overall gas temperature and velocity increase is due to electrical heating by the microwave discharge and not due to the enthalpy change of the species in the system.