Transfer of N2 Vibrational Energy to Potassium

The transfer of vibrational energy from N2 to electronic energy of potassium has been demonstrated experimentally. Vibrationally excited nitrogen N2‡ was obtained from the afterglow of a microwave disin N2. Potassium vapor was admitted to the afterglow and 23 potassium emission lines between 3447 and 7699 Å were observed in the region of the potassium inlet. The N2‡ was deactivated by adding either N2O or CO2 to the afterglow. From measurements of potassium emission intensity and N2O or CO2 flow rates the rate constants for the deactivation of N2‡ by N2O and CO2 were found to be (1.4±0.2)×10−13 and (8.0±0.9)×10−14 cm3 molecule−1·sec−1, respectively. Ionization was observed downstream from the potassium inlet when N2‡ was present. Arguments are presented which eliminate all afterglow constituents other than N2‡ as sources of potassium excitation.