Fluorescence of nitric oxide. Part 7.—Quenching rates of NO C2Π(v= 0), its rate of radiation to NO A2Σ+, energy transfer efficiencies, and mechanisms of predissociation

Abstract

The following experimental results are reported : (a) accurate rates of quenching of NO C²Π(v= 0) by N₂, CO₂, Ar and NO; (b) measurement of the rate of the NO C²Π(v= 0)→NO A²Σ⁺ cascade radiation (f_el= 1.6±0.6); (c) efficiencies of energy transfer in the deactivation of NO C²Π(v= 0) to A²Σ⁺; (d) evidence for electronic energy transfer in the deactivation of NO D²Σ⁺(v= 0) to NO A²Σ⁺ by N₂; (e)“anomalous” quenching rates of the δ-bands by N₂, CO₂ and NO, and (f) partial quenching of the ¹⁵N¹⁶O δ-emission by Ar. A route via NO a⁴Π is adopted to account for the predissociation of NO C²Π(v= 0). It is suggested that the levels below F₂(7/2) of ¹⁴N¹⁶O C²Π(v= 0) lie below the dissociation limit, indicating D_o(NO)= 52,400±10cm^–1. A compilation of the quenching parameters is given.