State-to-state N2(<i>A</i> 3Σ+<i>u</i>) energy-pooling reactions. I. The formation of N2(<i>C</i> 3Π<i>u</i>) and the Herman infrared system

Abstract

We have studied the formation of N2(C 3Πu, v=0–4) and the nitrogen Herman infrared system, v′=2,3, in energy pooling reactions between N2(A 3Σ+u, v′=0–1). Our results indicate rate coefficients of (1.5±0.4) and (1.5±0.5)×10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for formation of N2(C 3Πu, v′=0–4) from the energy pooling of two N2(A,v′=0) molecules and for a v′=0 and a v′=1 molecule, respectively. We did not see evidence of significant N2(C) formation in energy pooling between two N2(A,v′=1) molecules (k&amp;lt;5×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1). N2(A,v′=0) energy pooling produces only v′=3 of the Herman infrared system with a rate coefficient of ≥(8.1±2.3)×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Energy pooling between N2(A,v′=0) and N2(A,v′=1) produces only v′=2 of the Herman infrared system with a rate coefficient ≥(9.9±2.9)×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Again, energy pooling between two N2(A,v′=1) molecules results in no significant contributions to the Herman infrared system. The participation of N2(A) vibrational levels ≥2, however, does result in excitation of the lower-lying vibrational levels of the Herman infrared system.