Abstract
C2(a3Πu) radicals were produced using the dissociative excitation reaction of C2H2 with the microwave discharge flow of Ar. The mechanism of the production of these radicals was investigated by a combined analysis of the laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of the C2(d3Πg-a3Πu) (Swan band) and Ar(3P1-3P0) transitions and the electrostatic-probe measurements. From the dependences of these LIF intensities and the kinetic-energy distribution of free electrons on the pressure of Ar, it was concluded that the mechanism of the production of C2(a3Πu) was the collisional energy transfer from the metastable state of Ar, Ar(3P0,2). This conclusion was supported by a chemical-kinetic analysis.
