Population of the metastable $A^3\Sigma_{u}$ state of molecular nitrogen under conditions of plasma chemical synthesis of metal nitrides

The absolute population of the $B^3\Pi_ g$ state of molecular nitrogen is calculated from the intensity of electron-vibrational bands of the first positive system. The absolute population of the metastable $A^3\Sigma_{u}$ state of nitrogen molecules is calculated based on the solution of the balance equation. It is established that the population of the metastable state of molecular nitrogen increases with a decrease in the pressure and increase in the current intensity of the glow discharge. The results of determining the population of the $A^3\Sigma_{u}$ state of nitrogen molecules under conditions of simultaneous excitation of glow and vacuum arc discharges are presented.