Method for real-time measurement of nitrogen atom density in atmospheric pressure post-discharge flows

A method has been developed for real-time measurement of nitrogen atom density in atmospheric pressure post-discharge flows. In this method, nitric oxide is supplied to the downstream of a nitrogen discharge as a reactant. Our chemical simulation has revealed that the injected nitric oxide is consumed mainly by reductive reaction with nitrogen atoms or oxidative reaction with oxygen atoms. The number density of atomic nitrogen is determined almost instantaneously through the measurement of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide densities with a gas analyser. The experimental verification was carried out with a dielectric barrier discharge unit as a nitrogen atom source, and the results showed good agreement with simulation predictions.