A study of background emissions enhancements in nitrogen afterglows, due to addition of discharged O₂ , in connection with the reactions {N₂ (A 3+_u, v) + O(3P)}, {O₂ (a 1g) + N(4S)} and {O₂ (a 1g) + N₂ (A 3_+u)}

摘要

Intensity enhancement due to the addition of discharged O₂ is examined for background N₂ (B 3_g A 3+_u) emissions in various flowing nitrogen afterglows. Possible implications are reported for the experimentally determined rate constants for the reactions {N₂ (A 3+_u, v) + O(3P)}, and {O₂ (a 1g) + N(4S)} as a result of the present study. The present, as well as previously reported, N₂ (B 3_g A 3+_u) emissions intensity enhancements suggest complementary conclusions. Previous differences in experimental results reported for the {O₂ (a 1g) + N(4S)} reaction [based on studies observing the decay of either O₂ (a 1g) molecules or N(4S) atoms alone] are reconciled by a unifying additional interpretation. This interpretation leads to a rate constant estimate for the energy transfer reaction, {O₂ (a 1g) + N₂ (A 3+_u)}, deduced to account for the above N₂ (B 3_g A 3+_u) emissions intensity enhancements.