Radiative transfer in LTE air plasmas for temperatures up to <f>15,000 K</f>

Radiative transfer in local thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium <f>N2</f>–<f>O2</f> plasmas is analyzed in this study using a line-by-line approach. The contributions of line absorption by atoms, ions and of continuous absorption by atoms, ions and molecules to the absorption coefficient of heated air are calculated. These data combined to our previous work on the contribution of molecular electronic systems to heated air radiation (J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 72 (2002) 503) lead to a reliable and exhaustive spectroscopic data base for radiative transfer in air plasmas and for temperatures up to <f>15,000 K</f>. Line-by-line radiative transfer calculations are carried out for a simple planar geometry with prescribed temperature profiles. The spectral distribution of radiative fluxes and volumetric powers is analyzed and the relative contributions of continuum and line radiation are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]