Quantum-state-resolved studies of rovibrational excitation of nitrous oxide and carbon oxide sulfide following collisions with low-energy electrons

Abstract

Electron-molecule scattering information is important in studying chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere, in optimizing gas laser performance, and in maximizing the efficiency of magneto hydrodynamic power generation. The vibrational excitation of N[sub 2]O and OCS following excimer laser photolysis of I[sub 2] in a low-pressure mixture of I[sub 2] and N[sub 2]O of I[sub 2] and OCS has been studied using an excimer laser photolysis/diode laser probe technique. Vibrational excitation probabilities and nascent rotational distributions have been obtained for a number of low-lying vibrational levels. In addition, measurements of the transient N[sub 2]O and OCS line widths have been performed for the majority of the rovibrational states probed. Although a relatively large amount of vibrational excitation has been observed in N[sub 2]O and OCS, negligible energy transfer to the translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the products is observed. The results are consistent with the production of vibrationally excited N[sub 2]O and OCS molecules via collisions with low-energy electrons arising from multiphoton ionization of I[sub 2]. 37 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.