Temperature dependent energy transfer in Ar–O3 collisions

Abstract

The energy transfer between argon atoms and ozone complexes O3*, excited in the region of the dissociation threshold, is calculated for fixed temperatures (100 K< or =T < or =2500 K) using classical trajectories. The internal energy of ozone is resolved in terms of vibrational and rotational energies. For all temperatures, energy flows from O3* to Ar. The vibrational energy transfer, relative to k(B)T, is very small below 500 K, but gradually increases towards high temperatures. The relative rotational energy transfer, on the other hand, monotonously decreases with T; around 1100 K it falls below the relative vibrational energy transfer. Thermally averaged cross sections for vibrational and rotational energy transfers are also calculated. The implications for the stabilization of ozone complexes in the energy transfer model are discussed.