The characteristics of electrons and vibrational distributions of molecules in an atmospheric-pressure liquid-cathode dc discharge in air

Results are given of the calculation of vibrational distribution of N₂, O₂, and H₂O molecules and of electron energy distribution functions in the plasma of atmospheric-pressure dc discharge with a distilled-water cathode. The system of equations of vibrational kinetics is solved simultaneously with the Boltzmann equation using the measured values of reduced electric-field strength, of discharge current density, of gas temperature, and of band intensities of the second positive system of N₂ molecules.