State-to-state N2(A 3∑+u) energy pooling reactions. II. The formation and quenching of N2(B 3Πg, v′=1–12)

Abstract

We have studied the state‐to‐state excitation of N₂(B ³Π_g, v’=1–11) in energy pooling reactions between N₂(A ³∑⁺_u, v’=0,1) molecules and subsequent quenching in collisions with molecular nitrogen. Excitation of vibrational levels 10, 2, and 3 appears to be much stronger than excitation of the other vibrational levels. In addition, we failed to observe any emission from v’=12 even though it is energetically accessible. The excitation rate coefficients are quite large, 7.7×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the pooling of two N₂(A, v’=0) molecules, and roughly a factor of three larger for energy pooling events involving N₂(A, v’=1). The effective rate coefficients for electronic quenching of N₂(B) by N₂ are also quite large, ≈3×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Comparison of our quenching results with the laser‐excited, real‐time quenching studies of Rotem and Rosenwaks indicates agreement only within factors of 2–3.