THE ROLE OF Hg 63P0 ATOMS IN MERCURY PHOTOSENSITIZATION: III. REACTIONS WITH Hg 61S0 ATOMS

Abstract

Metastable Hg 6³P₀ atoms were produced in a flow system by reaction of Hg 6³P₁ atoms with nitrogen. Concentrations of the metastable atoms were studied as a function of Hg 6¹S₀ and N₂ concentration by absorption spectrometry. Rate constants have been obtained for the deactivation of Hg 6³P₀ to the ground state and for its activation to the 6³P₁ state by collisions with nitrogen, as well as for its reaction with Hg 6¹S₀ atoms to form a relatively long-lived diatomic species, presumably in the A(³O_u⁻) state. The last process involves stabilization by collision with nitrogen.