Calculation of collision cross sections for atomic line broadening in the plume of the Space Shuttle main engine (SSME)

An analytical method for determining the cross sections for collision line broadening by molecular perturbers is investigated using effective central force interaction potentials as proposed by Kunc. The Lennard-Jones potential is used throughout to describe the interatomic interactions. These cross sections are determined for several atomic species with H₂, one of the principal constituents of the SSME plume environment, and compared with experimental data. Agreement with experimental data within the range of experimental error is obtained for most atomic species