Laser induced fluorescence from NH2(2A1). State selected radiative lifetimes and collisional de-excitation rates

Abstract

Time resolved fluorescence from the first excited (2A1) state of NH2 has been observed following excitation of the radical in its ground state by means of a pulsed tunable dye laser. Specific rotational levels within a number of vibronic states were populated, decay rates measured as a function of total pressure for a variety of added gases, and zero pressure lifetimes and collisional de-excitation rates evaluated. Measured zero pressure lifetimes are good approximations to the vibrational state radiative lifetimes, typically 10 μsec for the (0, 9, 0) state. Collisional de-excitation rate constants were measured as 1.0×10−9 cm3 molecule−1⋅sec−1 for NH3, independent of vibronic state, and for the Σ (0, 9, 0) level were found for other gases in the ratio NH3:CO:H2:N2:CH4:Ar:He=1.0:0.47:0.46:0. 40:0.30:0.152:0.145. Using excitation by a tunable cw dye laser, steady state spectra of NH2 have been obtained and collisional energy transfer observed within the (2A1) excited electronic state of NH2. Transfer was observed both within the initially populated vibronic state and to other such states within the same overall vibrational level. The symmetric or antisymmetric character of the rotational level remained unchanged in collision, i.e., only a↔a and s↔s transfer occurred.