Rate constants for deactivation of N2* (A3Σu+, nu =0, 1) by H and D atoms

Abstract

The quenching reactions of metastable nitrogen molecules N2*(A3 Sigma u+, nu =0, 1) with atomic hydrogen and atomic deuterium have been studied in a room-temperature discharge flow system by monitoring the time decay of the 0, 6 and 1, 10 emissions of the Vegard-Kaplan (N2*(A3 Sigma u+) to N2(X1 Sigma g+)) band. Rate constants, kQ, of (1.3+or-0.4)*10-10 and (0.90+or-0.12)*10-10 cm3 s-1 were measured for Q=H, nu =0, 1 and (1.0+or-0.3)*10-10 and (0.68+or-0.04)*10-10 cm3 s-1 for Q=D, nu =0, 1, with an accuracy of 90%. NO gas was used as a tracer for N2*(A3). KQ values of (1.0+or-0.1)*10-10 cm3 s-1 for Q=H and (0.94+or-0.14)*10-10 cm3 s-1 for Q=D were obtained for the mixture of N2*(A3, nu =0) and N2*(A3, nu =1).