ChemInform Abstract: Rovibrational Excitation of Nitric Oxide in the Reaction of O2 with Metastable Atomic Nitrogen.

Abstract

ChemInform Abstract Using the technique of low-pressure IR chemiluminescence the vibrational and rotational excitation of NO(X 2π), formed in the reactions of N(2D,2P) with O2 near 100 K, is investigated. Spectral data analysis is indicative of several concurrent processes and surprisal analysis of the data show that all the possible reaction pathways for producing NO(X 2π), some of which lead to formation of metastable atomic oxygen, occur with significant probability. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the detailed collisional dynamics of the reactions and their relevance to the study of upper atmospheric auroral chemistry.

On the rate coefficient of the N(2D)+O2→NO+O reaction in the terrestrial thermosphere

“…Because of its importance in the chemistry, energy budget, and dynamics of the terrestrial atmosphere, NO has been the subject of intensive investigations [ Siskind et al , 1997; Sharma and Roble , 2001]. The room temperature rate coefficient of the reaction of metastable N( 2 D) atoms with O 2 has been measured [ Rawlins et al , 1989] and a recent review [ Herron , 1999] recommended an Arrhenius form for temperature dependence with an activation energy of 185 K throughout the thermosphere, i.e., has recommended a nearly temperature‐independent rate coefficient.…”

Optical Aeronomy

“…It can only prove, however, that the yield is less than unity. Recently, Rawlins et al [1989] conducted a similar experiment, confirming the NO vibrational distribution and also examining the reaction of N( 2 P ) with O 2 . They also concluded that O( 1 D ) is produced in these reactions, based on a surprisal fit to the data.…”

Thermospheric distribution of fast O(1D) atoms

“…We do not include it in our calculations. The metastable N( 2 P) atom is a minor product of dissociative recombination of NO + and it produces O( 1 D) atoms through the reaction [ Rawlins et al , 1989] The source is small compared to reactions of N( 2 D). Shematovich et al [1999] included They pointed out that charge transfer in collisions of metastable 2 P and 2 D ions of O + with O( 3 P) atoms is also a potential source of energetic O( 1 D) atoms.…”