Rotational, Vibrational, and Electronic Energy Transfer in the Fluorescence of Nitric Oxide

Abstract

A sharp emission line of ionized cadmium from an electric discharge excites NO molecules to the K′=13 rotational level of the v′=1 vibrational level of the A ²Σ⁺ electronic state. Steady‐state fluorescence has been observed from this level and from neighboring levels populated by collisional interaction between the excited and added inert molecules. Cross sections have been measured in He, Ar, H₂, N₂, NO, and CO₂ for electronic deactivation to the ground X²II state, for vibrational deactivation to the v′=0 level of the A ²Σ⁺ state, and for rotational exchange in the A ²Σ⁺ state. It has been established that rotational transitions having changes in rotational quantum number greater than unity take place with high probability, contrary to the optical selection rule.