Computation and verification of the rate coefficients for spectral diagnostics of streamer discharges

We have carried out an elementary verification of the theoretical rate coefficients of excitation of the N 2 (C) and N 2 + (B) states of molecular nitrogen on experimental results of Paris et al (2005). The transitions from the N 2 (C) and N 2 + (B) states form the second positive (SPS) and first negative (FNS) emission systems, which are used in our on-going experiments for spectral diagnostics of streamer discharges (2005-2007). The rate coefficients were computed by solving the local steady-state spatially-uniform Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function in the two-term approximation. A quite good agreement has been found between our computations and experimental results of Paris et al within electric field range from 300 to 500 Td based on supporting elementary theory of the nonstationary emission from very steep front of the fast ionization waves and from solitary electron avalanches. An initial comparison has been made on formula for the quasistationary FNS-to-SPS (0,0)-band intensity ratio.