The electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in an afterglow of a pulsed direct current discharge has been measured in an Ar:N₂ mixture by means of a time-resolved Langmuir probe technique. The vibrational temperature, T_v, of N₂ molecules has also been experimentally estimated. The results show that a correlation between an effective electron temperature, T_e, and T_v strongly varies with experimental conditions. In particular the conditions exist under which the rapid decrease from high to low T_e values is observed at some moment after the discharge pulse, while the vibrational temperature remains almost constant.

The theoretical study of the EEDF in Ar:N₂ afterglow plasma has also been made by the numerical solution of an appropriate Boltzma