QUANTUM YIELDS OF CO2 AND SO2 FORMATION FROM 193 NM PHOTOOXIDATION OFCO IN A SULFURIC-ACID AEROSOL

The measured quantum yield of CO2 is 1.2% for acid strengths in the ra nge 80-100 wt.% under conditions in which the yield varies linearly wi th the average laser power and is independent of the CO flow. The yiel d of SO2 is highly variable and may be either positive or negative. Th ese observations lead us to discard our previously postulated mechanis m in favour of one involving the production of atomic oxygen in the pr imary photolysis step. The highly variable and negative yields of SO2 are accounted for by postulating the formation of varying amounts of p eroxysulfuric acid in the irradiated droplets.