Vibrational Energy Exchanges in Nitrogen: Application of New Rate Constants for Kinetic Modeling

Exhaustive State-to-State Cross Sections and Rate Coefficients for Inelastic N2-N2 Collisions using QCT Combined with Neural Network Models

Using the quasi-classical trajectory method, we systematically studied the state-to-state vibrational relaxation process of N2(v1) + N2(v2) collisions over a wide temperature range (5000-30,000 K). Different temperature dependencies of the single- and multiquantum VV and VT events in various (v1,v2) collisions are captured, with the dominant channel being related to the initial vibrational energy levels (vmax = 50). At a specified relative translational energy, there is a monotonic relationship of the VT cross sections with the vibrational energy level, particularly in high-energy collisions. Additionally, we constructed well-trained neural network models (R-values reaching 0.99) using limited quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) data sets, which can be used to predict the state-to-state cross sections and rate coefficients of the VV processes N2(v1) + N2(v2) → N2(v1 - Δv) + N2(v2 + Δv) and VT processes N2(v1) + N2(v2) → N2(v1 - Δv) + N2(v2) (Δv = ±1, ±2, ±3) for collisions with arbitrary initial vibrational states. This work not only significantly reduces computational resources but also serves as a reference for the study of the state-to-state dynamics of all four-atom collision systems in hypersonic flows.

The role of the long-range tail of the potential in O2 + N2 collisional inelastic vibrational energy transfers

In the study of non-reactive energy transfer between O₂ and N₂ molecules bearing different vibrationally excited states we have faced the problem of selecting a proper formulation of the interaction. To this end we have compared the values of the related observables computed either on a potential energy surface globally fitted to very large ab initio potential energy values [Varga et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2016, 144, 024310] or on two more traditional ones formulated as a combination of an intra- and inter-molecular model component of the interaction (and based on a different combined use of experimental and ab initio information) [Garcia et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2016, 120, 5208] in order to enforce an appropriate modelling of the long-range tail of the potential, crucial for the description of inelastic vibrational energy transfer. A detailed graphical analysis of the potential plus a quantitative analysis of the computed opacity functions, of the state-to-state rate coefficients, of the second virial coefficient and of the integral non-reactive cross section allowed us to conclude that the model formulation of the interaction has to be preferred for non-reactive studies of the O₂ + N₂ energy transfer processes in thermal and subthermal regimes.

Enhanced Flexibility of the O2 + N2 Interaction and Its Effect on Collisional Vibrational Energy Exchange

Prompted by a comparison of measured and computed rate coefficients of Vibration-to-Vibration and Vibration-to-Translation energy transfer in O2 + N2 non-reactive collisions, extended semiclassical calculations of the related cross sections were performed to rationalize the role played by attractive and repulsive components of the interaction on two different potential energy surfaces. By exploiting the distributed concurrent scheme of the Grid Empowered Molecular Simulator we extended the computational work to quasiclassical techniques, investigated in this way more in detail the underlying microscopic mechanisms, singled out the interaction components facilitating the energy transfer, improved the formulation of the potential, and performed additional calculations that confirmed the effectiveness of the improvement introduced.

Efficiency of Collisional O2 + N2 Vibrational Energy Exchange

By following the scheme of the Grid Empowered Molecular Simulator (GEMS), a new O2 + N2 intermolecular potential, built on ab initio calculations and experimental (scattering and second virial coefficient) data, has been coupled with an appropriate intramolecular one. On the resulting potential energy surface detailed rate coefficients for collision induced vibrational energy exchanges have been computed using a semiclassical method. A cross comparison of the computed rate coefficients with the outcomes of previous semiclassical calculations and kinetic experiments has provided a foundation for characterizing the main features of the vibrational energy transfer processes of the title system as well as a critical reading of the trajectory outcomes and kinetic data. On the implemented procedures massive trajectory runs for the proper interval of initial conditions have singled out structures of the vibrational distributions useful to formulate scaling relationships for complex molecular simulations.