Electronic excitation of OH and OD following collision of H2, HCOOH and D2O with metastable Ar (3P2,0) atoms

Abstract

Electronically excited OH and OD (A²Σ⁺) molecules in various vibrational and rotational states are formed during the dissociative excitation of H₂O, HCOOH and D₂O induced by impact with metastable excited Ar(³P_2,0) atoms. The initial rotational population distributions of OH (A²Σ⁺, v′= 0) from Ar^*+ H₂O, and of OH in the closely related dissociative photon impact with H₂O, are different. Detailed energy balances for the collision processes are considered, and the role of predissociation of OH (A²Σ⁺) is discussed. The rotational population distributions are discussed in terms of Carrington's description ¹ of the dissociative fragmentation of excited H₂O.