Energy dependence of the relaxation of highly excited NO2 donors under single collision conditions: Vibrational and rotational state dependence and translational recoil of CO2 quencher molecules

Abstract

The rotational state distribution and velocity recoil of CO2 bath molecules excited to the asymmetric stretch (ν3=2349 cm−1) vibrational level by collisions with high energy NO2 molecules have been determined. The vibrational excitation process occurs with very little rotational or translational excitation of the CO2 and its probability is independent of NO2 internal energy over the range 22 200–16 600 cm−1.