Radiative Lifetimes and Kinetic Studies of Metastable NO(+)(a 3 Sigma(+)) and O2(+)(a 4 Pi sub u),
Abstract
The lowest energy metastable electronic states of the nitric oxide and molecular oxygen cations have been studied using Fourier Transform mass Spectrometry. Using very low neutral reactant pressures and ion trapping periods of up to several seconds, the radiative relaxation rate of the metastable ion becomes competitive with its reaction rate. In this fashion both kinetic information and the radiative lifetime of the metastable state are obtained. The measured rate constants for the reactions of N0+(a3sigma+) with C02 (k = 1.0 + or - 0.2 x 2 to the -10 cc/sec) and of 02+(a 4 piu) with Ar (k = 4.9 + or - 1.5 x 10 to the -10 cc/sec) are in agreement with earlier results. The measured lifetimes of the N0+ metastable (sigma = 1.45 sec) and the 02+ metastable (sigma = 0.22 sec) are discussed using a four state spin-orbit coupling model which predicts metastable radiative lifetimes which agree reasonably well with the experimental values. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA159759
Entities
People
- A. O'keefe
- Jim R. McDonald
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory