FLUORESCENCE AND THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF N2O, CO, AND CO2 IN AN ARGON MATRIX AT LOW-TEMPERATURE

The photolysis of N2O in an argon matrix at 7° K by 8.4 eV energy photons leads to the emission of the Vegard-Kaplan system of N 2 (Α3Σ+→Χ 1Σg+) and to the atomic emissions O( 1S)→O(1D) and N(2D)→N(1S). The thermoluminescence which accompanies an increase of the matrix temperature is due to O2 (Α3Σ+ u→Χ3Σg-). In the presence of CO, the atomic oxygen emission disappears and the CO (α3Π→Χ1Σ) Cameron System is detected. The thermoluminescence in this case is a continuum (3800-5000 A) apparently due to CO2 (3Β→Χ 1Σg+) showing that ground state oxygen atoms, 0(3P), react with CO at cryogenic temperatures: CO (Χ1Σ+) + O(3P)→CO 2(3B2),→CO2(3B 2)→CO2(Χ1Σg +)+ h v. © 1979 American Institute of Physics.