Model of the vibrational level population of the b1Σg+ state of oxygen molecules at heights of the lower thermosphere and mesosphere

The quenching rate coefficients of electronically excited molecules O2 (b1Σg+, v = 1–20) by oxygen molecules are calculated. It is shown that intermolecular processes of electronic excitation transfer with the formation of O2 (b1Σg+, v = 0) and O2 (a1 Δg, v = 0) are dominating quenching channels. The calculated coefficients are used for the calculations of relative populations O2 (b1Σg+, v = 1–20) at altitudes of 80–110 km. The calculated populations are compared with experimental estimates available in literature and a good agreement is observed.