Laser fluorescence study of the Hg(3P0)+ N2 system

Abstract

The decay of Hg(³P₀) following pulsed excitation at 253.7 nm was monitored by measuring the intensity of fluorescence which accompanied laser excitation at 404.7 nm. Decays of Hg(³P₁), Hg₂(³1_u) and Hg₂(³O^–_u) were monitored by measuring intensities of emission at 253.7, 335 and 490 nm. For the reactions Hg(³P₁)+ N₂→ Hg(³P₀)+ N₂(1) and Hg(³P₀)+ N₂+ Hg → Hg₂(³1_u)+ N₂(4) the measured rate constants are (7.1 ± 1.4)× 10^–12 cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 and (1.55 ± 0.16)× 10^–30 cm⁶ molecule^–2 s^–1, respectively, at 293 K. The results also yield ratios of the steady state concentrations of the four excited species.