Vacuum ultra-violet photolysis of nitrous oxide. Energy disposal in the reaction O(21D)+ N2O → 2NO
Abstract
The vacuum u.v. photolysis of N2O has been studied at 170 nm, and (140–155) nm. Energy disposal in the reaction O(21D)+ N2O → 2NO has been investigated at the longer wavelengths and the distribution over vibrational states found to be consistent with a ‘complex’ mechanism. At the shorter wavelengths experiments with 15NNO indicate formation of NO via reaction of O(21D), N2(Atilde;3Σ+u) and possibly O(21S) with N2O, though the majority of O(21S) atoms are physically deactivated to the 21D state.