Modeling the vibrational relaxation of polyatomic molecules. The methylfluoride case-study

We present in this paper a theoretical analysis of the vibrational translational (V-T) relaxation process in CH3F, carried out by using a numerical model based on rate equations. In particular, we have analysed the dependence of the V-T relaxation time on the average vibrational energy absorbed per molecule. We have also investigated the influence of the dependence of the rate constants used in the model, on the gas translational temperature. The results of the model clearly outline the strongly nonlinear character of the V-T relaxation process in CH3F, a situation commonly observed in other important polyatomic molecules of intermediate size each as SF6, freons, and related methylhalides.