VIBRATIONAL-RELAXATION AND RADIATIVE RATES OF OZONE

Collisional relaxation of the coupled nu(3), nu(1) stretching modes of O-3 at 90 K has been investigated by monitoring time and pressure var iations of the infrared emission at 9.6 mu m. Spectral modeling was ut ilized to determine the temporal variations in the populations of each vibrational level. A single quantum collisional relaxation model was used to evaluate total decay rates out of each vibrational level in th is highly coupled system. Total decay rates at several different press ures were subjected to a Stern-Volmer analysis and have yielded level specific rate coefficients for collisional quenching of O-3 With UP to three vibrational quanta. Quenching rate coefficients were found to b e in the range of 10(-14)-10(-15) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for O-2, N- 2, and Ar collision partners. Vibrational Einstein coefficients for O- 3(nu(3)) With UP to three quanta were also determined. This represents the first experimental determination for the two- and three-quanta st ates. These Einstein coefficients compare favorably with detailed theo retical predictions.