O2(b 1Σg+) production and deactivation following quenching of O(1D2) in O3/O2 mixtures

The production of oxygen atoms, O(3PJ), following deactivation of photolytically generated O(2 1D2) via was monitored using time-resolved atomic absorption analysis in the vacuum ultraviolet. The measured overall rate constant for O2(b 1Σg+) deactivation by O3, 1.8±0.2×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, and total yield of ground state O(3PJ) following quenching of O2(b 1Σg+) by O3, 0.61±0.06, are in good agreement with a previous study. These results suggest that the reaction of O2(b 1Σg+) with O3 may play a role in fixing the overall density of oxygen atoms in the stratosphere.