The1D–3PTransitions in Atomic Oxygen Induced by Impact with Atomic Hydrogen

The rate coefficients for electronic transitions between the 3 P and 1 D states of oxygen atoms induced by collision with hydrogen atoms are computed using a rigorous quantum mechanical method and accurate interaction potentials of the OH molecule. The rate coefficient for the electronic relaxation of O( 1 D ) to O( 3 P ) is almost independent of temperature between 1000 and 10,000 K with a magnitude of 10 -12 cm 3 s -1 . The rate coefficient for the electronic excitation of O( 3 P ) to O( 1 D ) varies from 5.40 × 10 -23 cm 3 s -1 at T = 1000 K to 5.96 × 10 -14 cm 3 s -1 at T = 10,000 K.