Measurement of quenching rates of CO(a3Π,v=0) using laser pump-and-probe technique

Measurements are presented of rates of electronic quenching of CO(a, v=0) by several gases. A pump-and-probe technique is used; CO(a) is created by pumping the spin-forbidden (a–X) transition at 206 nm. Measured rate coefficients at room temperature are kQ(CO)=5.7±1.2, kQ(NO)=17±6, kQ(N2)=1.4±0.6, kQ(O2)=6±2, kQ(H2)=2.6±1.0, kQ(H2O)=33±12 in units of 10−11 cm3 s−1.