Molecular Physics and Hypersonic Flows bridges the gap between the fluid dynamics and molecular physics communities, emphasizing the role played by elementary processes in hypersonic flows. In particular, the work is primarily dedicated to filling the gap between microscopic and macroscopic treatments of the source terms to be inserted in the fluid dynamics codes. The first part of the book describes the molecular dynamics of elementary processes both in the gas phase and in the interaction with surfaces by using quantum mechanical and phenomenological approaches. A second group of contributions describes thermodynamics and transport properties of air components, with special attention to the transport of internal energy. A series of papers is devoted to the experimental and theoretical study of the flow of partially ionized gases. Subsequent contributions treat modern computational techniques for 3-D hypersonic flow. Non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics are then described, together with the coupling of vibration-dissociation processes as they affect hypersonic flows. Special emphasis is given to the interfacing of non-equilibrium models with computational fluid dynamics methods. Finally, the last part of the book deals with the application of direct Monte Carlo methods in describing rarefied flows.

This book describes the coupling between elementary processes, plasma kinetics and electrodynamics in different types of electrical discharges and under non-equilibrium conditions. Analytical methods based on rigorous kinetic theory are developed to interpret the results obtained by numerical methods. Particular emphasis is placed on the kinetics of non-equilibrium N2, O2 and N2-02 plasmas as well as on conditions relevant to atmospheric physics, reentry problems and acoustic and shock waves in non-equilibrium atmospheric gases.

The present book contains the proceedings of the workshop "Plasma Technology and Applications" which was held at 11 Ciocco (Lucca-Italy) during 5-6 July 1991. The workshop was organized just before ICPIG XX to emphasize the role of plasma physics and plasma chemistry in different fields of technology. Topics cover different applications such as lamps, plasma treatment of materials (etching, deposition, nitriding), plasma sources (microwave excitation, negative ion sources) and plasma destruction of pollutants. Several chapters deal with basic concepts in plasma physics, non- equilibrium plasma modeling and plasma diagnostics as well as with laser interaction with solid targets. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by university of Bari (Italy) and by CNR (Centro di Studio per la Chimica dei Plasmi, Istituto di Fisica Atomica e Molecolare (IFAM) and Progetto Finalizzato Materiali Speciali per Tecnologie Avanzate) as well as the sponsorship of ENEA. M. Capitelli C. Gorse v CONTENTS Plasmas in nature, laboratory and technology 1 A. M. Ignatov and A. A. Rukhadze Laser diagnostics of plasmas 11 L. Pyatnitsky Probe diagnostics of plasmas 27 G. Dilecce Theory, properties and applications of non- equilibrium plasmas created by external energy sources 45 E. Son Non-Equilibrium plasma modeling 59 M. Capitel1i , R. Celiberto, G. Capriati, C. Gorse and S. Longo Gas discharge lamps 81 M. Koedam Plasma etching processes and diagnostics 93 R. d'Agostino and F. Fracassi Plasma deposition: processes and diagnostics 109 A.

The NATO . Advanced Research Insti tute on Nonequilibrium Processes in Partially Ionized Gases was held at Acquafredda di Maratea during 4-17 June 1989. The Institute considered the interconnections between scattering and transport theories and modeling of nonequilibrium systems generated by electrical discharges, emphasizing the importance of microscopic processes in affecting the bulk properties of plasmas. The book tries to reproduce these lines. In particular several contributions describe scattering cross sections involving electrons interacting with atoms and molecules in both ground and excited states (from theoretical and experimental point of view), of energy transfer processes as well as reactive ones involving excited molecules colliding with atoms and molecules as well as with metallic surfaces. Other contributions deal with the basis of transport theories (Boltzmann and Monte Carlo methods) for describing the bulk properties of non equilibrium plasmas as well as with the modeling of complicated systems emphasizing in particular the strong coupling between the Boltzmann equation and excited state kinetics. Finally the book contains several contributions describing applications in different fields such as Excimer Lasers, Negative Ion Production, RF Discharges, Plasma Chemistry, Atmospheric Processes and Physics of Lamps. The Organizing Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous financial support provided by the NATO Science Committee as well as by Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo of Maratea, by University of Bari, by C. N. R. (Centro di Studio per la Chimica dei Plasmi and Comitato per la Chimica), by ENEA, by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and by US Army Research Office.

Emphasis is placed on the analysis of translational, rotational, vibrational and electronically excited state kinetics, coupled to the electron Boltzmann equation.

Molecular Physics and Hypersonic Flows bridges the gap between the fluid dynamics and molecular physics communities, emphasizing the role played by elementary processes in hypersonic flows. In particular, the work is primarily dedicated to filling the gap between microscopic and macroscopic treatments of the source terms to be inserted in the fluid dynamics codes. The first part of the book describes the molecular dynamics of elementary processes both in the gas phase and in the interaction with surfaces by using quantum mechanical and phenomenological approaches. A second group of contributions describes thermodynamics and transport properties of air components, with special attention to the transport of internal energy. A series of papers is devoted to the experimental and theoretical study of the flow of partially ionized gases. Subsequent contributions treat modern computational techniques for 3-D hypersonic flow. Non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics are then described, together with the coupling of vibration-dissociation processes as they affect hypersonic flows. Special emphasis is given to the interfacing of non-equilibrium models with computational fluid dynamics methods. Finally, the last part of the book deals with the application of direct Monte Carlo methods in describing rarefied flows.