A study of background emissions enhancements in nitrogen afterglows, due to addition of discharged O2, in connection with the reactions {N2 (A3Σu+, υ) + O(3P)}, {O2 (a1Δg) + N(4S)} and {O2 (a1Δg) + N2 (A3Σu+)}

Abstract

AbstractIntensity enhancement due to the addition of discharged O2 is examined for background N2 (B Πg → A3Σu+) emissions in various flowing nitrogen afterglows. Possible implications are reported for the experimentally determined rate constants for the reactions {N2 (A3Σu+, υ) + O(3P)}, and {O2 (a1Δg) + N(4S)}, as a result of the present study. The present, as well as previously reported, N2 (B Πg → A3Σu+) emissions intensity enhancements suggest complementary conclusions. Previous differences in experimental results reported for the {O2 (a1Δg) + N(4S)} reaction [based on studies observing the decay of either O2 (a1Δg) 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 (a1Δg) + N(2(A3Σu+)}, deduced to account for the above N2 (B3Πg → A3Σu+) emissions intensity enhancements.