Quantum yields for the production of O(1S), N(2D), and N2(A 3Σ+u) from the vacuum uv photolysis of N2O

Relative quantum yields have been measured for O(1S), N(2D), and N2(A 3Σ+u) production from N2O over the wavelength range 1100–1500 Å. The measurements of O(1S) were made by observing the 1S0 → 1D2 emission at 5577 Å. N(2D) was measured via the intensity of NO β bands generated by N(2D)+N2O → N2+NO(B 2Πr) followed by NO(B 2Πr) → NO(X 2Πr) % +hν (NO β bands). The N2(A 3Σ+u) was measured by the intensity of NO γ bands generated by N2(A 3Σ+u)+NO → N2+NO(A 2Σ+) followed by NO(A 2Σ+) → NO+hν (NO γ bands). The O(1S) quantum yield is close to unity over the 1280–1380 Å wavelength range. N(2D) exhibits a large yield for λ?1200 Å. The quantum yield of N2(A 3Σ+u) is ? 0.2 over the entire 1100–1500 Å region.