Collisional Stimulation of the O(1S)–O(1D) Emission of Oxygen Atoms Formed in Vacuum-Ultraviolet Photolysis of Nitrous Oxide

Abstract

Oxygen atoms in the ${}^{1}S$ state have been produced by the vacuum‐ultraviolet photolysis of N₂O and observed by their emission at 5577 Å in the ${}^1{\mathrm{S–}}^{1}D$ transition. The stimulation of this emission by collision with added gases has been studied. The emission has been found to be proportional to the pressure of the added gas. Xenon is the most efficient stimulator of the gases used, followed in order of decreasing efficiency by Kr, Ar, N₂, H₂, and He. Data gotten by photolysis of NO₂ and CO₂ have been used to estimate their quantum yields for formation of $\mathrm{O}{(}^1\mathrm{S)}$ .