Chemiluminescent reactions of rare gas atoms, Rg( ns, 3P 2, 3P 1, 1P 1) with N 2O, SCO and SeCO: Spectroscopy and energy disposal in rare gas oxide, sulphide and selenide excimers

Abstract

Chemiluminescence associated with excimer states of XeO, KrO, ArO, XeS and XeSe has been generated through the reaction of electronically excited rare gas atoms, Rg( ns, 3P 2, 3P 1, or 1P 1) with N 2O, SCO, SCNH or SeCO. Branching ratios into the atom-transfer channels for reactions of Rg( 3P 2) are < 1%. Experiments using a superthermal reagent beam of Xe( 3P 2) indicate translational threshold behaviour for the reaction Xe( 3P 2) + N 2O → (Xe +O −) ★ + N 2. Estimates of the initial vibrational population distributions and spectroscopic parameters of XeO and KrO have been achieved through a preliminary analysis of their chemiluminescence spectra.