Time resolved 360 to 600 nm luminescence produced by the pulse radiolysis of water vapor

Abstract

Water vapor was excited by a 0.53 MeV pulsed electron beam and examined for luminescence emission in the 360–600 nm region. Spectral lines arising from the Balmer transitions H(n=4→n=2), H(n=5→n=2), and H(n=6→n=2) of the hydrogen atom and the transitions 3p4D05/2→3s4P3/2, 3p4D07/2→ 3s4P5/2, and 3p4D01/2→3s4P1/2 of the O+ ion were observed. The Balmer lines were found to be quenched by water vapor with rate constants at 293 K of (9.77±0.26)×10−9, (10.67±0.45)×10−9, and (12.3±2.3)×10−9 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The excited O+ ions were also quenched strongly by water vapor but line intensities were insufficient for rate measurements to be carried out.