Production of CS (a 3Π) in the photodissociation of CS2 below 1600 Å

Photodissociation of CS2 has been studied over the range 1050–2100 Å. While the quantum yield of S(1S) production is ?0.1 throughout this region, high yields of CS(a 3Π) are produced between 1250 and 1400 Å. Assuming that the quantum yield of CS(a 3Π) production in this region is close to unity, a value of (16±3) msec has been deduced for the radiative lifetime of CS(a 3Π), averaged over the three sublevels. Rate coefficients for quenching CS(a 3Π) by CS2, NO, CO, O2, H2, CO2, N2, Ar, and He have also been measured and compared with the values for CO(a 3Π).