Infrared fluorescence study of electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer in the

Steady-state laser photolysis techniques were used to study collisional energy transfer from spin-orbit excited atomic bromine to vibration in the ground electronic state of nitric oxide. Photodissociation of molecular bromine at λ = 488 nm was used to produce Br(2P12), and energy transfer was monitored by observing the infrared fluorescence from Br(2P12) near λ = 2.71 μm and from NO(ν = 1, 2) near λ = 5.3 μm as a function of Br2 and NO pressures. The rate coefficient for quenching of Br(2P12) by NO was determined as 1.9±0.2 × 10−12 cm3/molecule s. The product of this quenching process prefers NO(ν = 2), with a quantum yield of greater than 0.76. These results are discussed in connection with a recent Br(2P12)-NO laser demonstration.