Electronic quenching of the B 2Σ + state of AlO

Abstract

Electronic quenching rate constants for the B 2Σ + state of AlO were determined using a pulsed-laser photolysis laser-induced fluorescence technique by examining fluorescence decay rates in the presence of seven atomic and molecular collision partners. The two polar molecules CO and NO were found to have rate constants of 4.8 × 10 −12 and 1.8 × 10 −10 cm 3 s −1, respectively. The nonpolar gases He, H 2, N 2, CO 2 and Xe were found to be poor quenchers with a bimolecular quenching rate constant having an upper bound of 1 × 10 −13 cm 3 s −1 for He, H 2, N 2 and Xe and 1 × 10 −12 cm 3 for CO 2.