Kinetics of CO Formation Studied by Far-uv Flash Photolysis of CO2

Abstract

A simple, low‐energy (100–200 J), short‐duration (3‐μsec) flash‐photolysis apparatus for the vacuum ultraviolet down to the transparency limit of lithium fluoride (1100 Å) is described. The photolysis of CO₂ has been studied. Recombination rate of CO+O(¹D) is 2×10⁹ liters mole⁻¹·sec⁻¹ in the presence of a large excess of nonphotolyzed CO₂ which may act as a third body. From kinetic considerations, the average lifetime of O(¹D) was estimated to be of the order of 50 μsec under these experimental conditions. The fact that O(¹D) plays a role is supported by the observation at 1152±0.5 Å of an absorption which could be attributed to the (2p⁴¹D−3s¹¹D°) transition known in emission.