Radiative and predissociative lifetimes of the A 2Σ+ state of OH

Lifetime measurements have been made on the A 2Σ+ state of OH by the delayed coincidence technique in conjunction with an interrupted rf discharge through water vapor. Lifetimes are reported for rotational states up to K=29 and K=20 in the ν=0 and ν=1 vibrational levels, respectively, and on the unresolved levels of ν=2. A predissociation, previously predicted from relative intensity measurements, resulting from a curve crossing by the repulsive 4Σ− state, was observed for the rotational states above K=23 of ν=0, for those above K=14 of ν=1, and for all those of ν=2. These lifetime data are discussed qualitatively in terms of the electronic-rotational perturbation matrices and the vibrational overlap integrals.