Electronically excited oxygen atoms, O(2¹D₂). A time‐resolved study of the collisional quenching by the gases H₂, D₂, CH₄, NO, NO₂, N₂O, and C₃O₂ using atomic absorption spectroscopy in the vacuum ultraviolet

Time‐resolved atomic absorption spectroscopy in the vacuum ultraviolet has been employed to monitor electronically excited oxygen atoms, O(2 1 D 2 ), following their genera‐tion by the flash photolysis of ozone in the Hartley band region. We report the first values for the absolute second‐order rate constants describing the removal of the excited atom on collision with the molecules H 2 , D 2 , CH 4 , NO, NO 2 , N 2 O, and C 3 O 2 . Where possible, these data are considered within the context of restrictions arising from spin and orbital symmetry and are further discussed in tems of previously reported relative rate data derived from indirect measurements. Consideration is given to the importance of these rate con‐stants in discussing processes taking place in the earth's atmosphere and in systems giving rise to chemical laser action.