Chemiluminescence and photoluminescence of S 2, SO and SO 2 in SF 6 afterglows

Abstract

Frequently, the success of producing short-lived chemical species for use in chemical kinetic studies or for obtaining spectroscopic data depends on the chance finding of a source which gives high density of molecules. This paper describes methods of obtaining chemiluminescence of S 2, SO and SO 2 molecules, and, as well, sufficiently large concentrations of these species in their ground states to make possible the spectroscopic study by white light photoluminescence. A mixture of sulfur hexafluoride in helium passing through a microwave discharge serves as a source of these reactive atoms and molecules.