Vibrational distribution functions in a mixture of excited isotopic CO molecules

Abstract

Analytical theories of vibrational relaxation of highly excited diatomic molecules are extended, taking into account the two-quantum V-V transfer and radiative processes. The theoretical vibrational distribution functions obtained in this way are compared with those derived from numerical computations and with experimental distributions observed for a natural-abundance 12C 16O, 13C 16O, 12C 18O mixture in a CO laser type cell. In particular, the isotopic enrichments observed in high vibrational levels are compared to the theoretical ones.