Measured lifetimes of the two vibrational levels of the b3Σ+state of CO

The authors have measured the lifetimes of the first two vibronic levels of the b3Sigma+state of carbon monoxide using the inelastic electron-photon coincidence technique. Their respective values are 53.6+or-0.3 and 69.1+or-2.1 ns. In addition it is found that the lifetime for the v=1 level decreases with increasing pressure, showing a large cross section for collisional transfer of excitation. It is considered that the lifetime of the v=1 level may be affected by the perturbations known to exist in its rotational levels.