Radiative lifetime and quenching of the 3p 4D state of atomic nitrogen

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The radiative lifetime of nitrogen atoms in the 3p 4D0 state is determined to be 43±3 ns, and the total removal rate constants from the excited 3p 4D0 state of nitrogen atoms are measured for collisions with He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and N2. In a low pressure discharge flow reactor, the 3p 4D0 state is prepared by two‐photon excitation from the 4S0 ground state of atomic nitrogen. Time‐resolved fluorescence from the 3p 4D0→3s 4P transition monitors the temporal evolution of the population in the 3p 4D0 state. As the rare gases become heavier with a more complex electron cloud, the quenching rate constants increase from less than 0.6×10−11 cm3 s−1 for He to a value of 66±12×10−11 cm3 s−1 for Xe. Collision mechanisms which might account for such a dramatic increase are discussed.