Determination of the quenching rate of the O(¹D) by O(³P) from rocket‐borne optical (630 nm) and electron density data

The quenching rate k 7 of the O(¹D) by O(³P) in the nocturnal F region is evaluated on the basis of rocket‐borne photometric and electron density measurements that have been carried out aboard a Brazilian Sonda III rocket launched from Natal (geography 5.8°S, 35.2°W) on October 31, 1986, at 2259 Local Standard Time (LST). The nightglow emission and electron density vertical profiles were obtained respectively from a 630‐nm photometer and a high‐frequency capacitance probe. The quenching rate k 7 was evaluated from model calculations of the OI 630‐nm emission rate, utilizing as input data the measured electron density. Assuming the value of 1.1 for the quantum yield factor f( 1 ;D) a mean value estimated for k 7 turned out to be 9.2×10 −13 cm 3 ; s −1 , the upper and lower limits being 2.8×10 −12 cm 3 s −1 and zero, respectively. On the other hand, assuming Bates' [1990] height profile of Franck‐Condon f( 1 ;D) for this same experiment, k 7 resulted in 2.55×10 −12 cm 3 s −1 . These results are discussed and compared with previous measurements from other authors.