Analysis of anomalous vibrational and rotational distributions in the CN(B 2Σ +) state produced in the reaction of Ar( 3P 0,2) metastables with BrCN

Abstract

The CN(B 2Σ + - X 2Σ +) tail band emission system for μ′ = 11–20 resulting from the energy transfer reaction Ar( 3P 0,2) + BrCN in a flowing afterglow apparatus was measured. The vibrational and rotational distributions were determined as a function of argon pressure. Numerous perturbed rotational lines were observed; analysis of the dependences of these lines on argon pressure, with the aid of experimental information already published, led to the following assignments as to the origins of the perturbations: For μ′ = 11, N′ = 20 and μ′ = 13, N′ = 9, the perturbing state is a 4Σ +; for μ′ = 12, N′ = 10 and 14, μ′ = 14, N′ = 7 and 10, and μ′ = 17, N′ ≈ 17–19 the perturbing state is A 2Π i. The perturbed rotational line, μ′ = 11, N′ = 20, is found to be the primary source of intensity in the μ′ =11 vibrational band, but in all other cases the perturbed rotational lines do not significantly aid in the populating of the vibrational state. The anomalously high vibrational populations found in the tail band emission system (μ′ = 12, 14, 17 and 18), as well as the significantly high rotational excitations observed in the μ′ = 12–20 vibrational bands, apparently arise directly from the reaction intermediate.