Formation and Fate of NH(X³Σ⁻) in the Pulsed Vacuum UV Photolysis of NH₃

The formation of NH(X 3 Σ‐) from the pulsed vacuum uv photolysis (λ > 105 nm) of NH 3 was investigated. Using resonance fluorescence detection the kinetics of NH was studied at room temperature. NH could be observed for up to 2 s; the efficiency of removal of NH by collisions with the walls of the reactor is estimated to be of the order of 10 −4 . A reaction of NH with its parent molecule NH 3 or with N 2 was not detected. Upper limits for the rate constants of the reactions magnified image .