Atom-molecule inelastic collision dynamics in open shell systems: O + NO and Cl + NOThomas A. StephensonDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College

We are currently exploring the dynamics of electronically excited NO and SO2 in two separate investigations. In our NO experiments, we excite single rotational levels in the E Rydberg state; we explore the collision-induced energy transfer pathways that depopulate the E state. Preliminary results suggest that N2 collisions quench the E state, presumably producing NO in the X state state. There is no evidence of the formation of NO in an excited electronic state. This result is in contrast with previous investigations and is the subject of continuing work. In SO2, we prepare single vibronic levels of the C state, and are just beginning a search for collision-induced vibrational and electronic energy transfer.

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NO E ← A (0,0) laser induced fluorescence excitation spectrum

LIF intensity

Laser wavelength (nm)

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SO2 C (100) → X emission spectrum

Emission intensity

( )Emission wavelength nm