Energy transfer from PO excited states to alkali metal atoms in the phosphorus chemiluminescence flame

摘要

Phosphorus chemiluminescence under ambient conditions of a phosphorus oxidation flame is found to offer an efficient electronic energy transferring system to alkali metal atoms. The lowest resonance lines, ²P3 / 2,½→²S½, of potassium and sodium are excited by energy transfer when an argon stream at 80°C carrying potassium or sodium atoms intersects a phosphorus vapor stream, either at the flame or in the postflame region. The lowest electronically excited metastable ⁴IIi state of PO or the (PO[unk]PO)^* excimer is considered to be the probable energy donor. The (PO[unk]PO)^* excimer results from the interaction of the ⁴IIi state of one PO molecule with the ground ²IIr state of another. Metastability of the donor state is strongly indicated by the observation of intense sensitized alkali atom fluorescence in the postflame region.