Quantum yields for the production of O(1S), N(2D), and N2(A 3Σ+u) from the vacuum uv photolysis of N2O

Abstract

Relative quantum yields have been measured for O(¹S), N(²D), and N₂(A ³Σ⁺_u) production from N₂O over the wavelength range 1100–1500 Å. The measurements of O(¹S) were made by observing the ¹S₀ → ¹D₂ emission at 5577 Å. N(²D) was measured via the intensity of NO β bands generated by N(²D)+N₂O → N₂+NO(B ²Π_r) followed by NO(B ²Π_r) → NO(X ²Π_r) % +hν (NO β bands). The N₂(A ³Σ⁺_u) was measured by the intensity of NO γ bands generated by N₂(A ³Σ⁺_u)+NO → N₂+NO(A ²Σ⁺) followed by NO(A ²Σ⁺) → NO+hν (NO γ bands). The O(¹S) quantum yield is close to unity over the 1280–1380 Å wavelength range. N(²D) exhibits a large yield for λ?1200 Å. The quantum yield of N₂(A ³Σ⁺_u) is ? 0.2 over the entire 1100–1500 Å region.