Analysis of the H2 vibrational distribution in a hydrogen discharge

The H2(v'') vibrational distribution observed in a medium-density hydrogen discharge is analyzed in terms of standard collisional processes. All processes in the model are specified independently of adjustable parameters. The calculated distribution is found to be a sensitive function of the wall relaxation process. The warm-gas-temperature discharge analyzed here leads to a substantially more rapid H2(v'') wall relaxation than is inferred from cold-gas systems