Modeling of the $\mathrm{N}_2^+$ ion in cold helium plasma II: transport properties of $\mathrm{N}_2^+$ in helium

• Published in: Plasma sources science & technology Vol. 32; no. 1
• Main Authors: Paláček, Stanilas, Beseda, Martin, Kalus, René, Benhenni, Malika, Gadéa, Florent X., Leininger, Thierry, Yousfi, Mohammed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 24.01.2023
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; or physical chemistry; Theoretical and
• ISSN: 0963-0252; 1361-6595
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/acb1d2

A detailed modeling of N$_2^+$ transport properties in helium gas has been performed by employing Monte Carlo calculations based on ab initio collision cross-sections reported by our group in a preceding paper (S Paláček et al 2022 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 31 105004). A broad range of the reduced electric field ($E/N$) is considered to provide data directly usable in macroscopic modeling of processes in cold helium plasmas. The N$_2^+$ mobility in helium gas at room temperature (T = 300 K), the characteristic energies of its longitudinal and transversal diffusion, and the rate constant of the N$_2^+$ dissociation induced by collisions with helium atoms have been calculated. The effect of the N$_2^+$ initial rotational-vibrational excitation is investigated as well as the effect of the rotational alignment of the N$_2^+$ molecule. A direct comparison with N$_2^+$/He mobility experimental data is performed as well as indirect tests of theoretical estimates of the characteristic diffusion energies by comparing the latter with pseudo-experimental data obtained from mobility experiments via an inverse-method approach