Double resonance study of relaxation in nitric oxide

A double resonance technique, employing a pulsed transverse HF laser to pump the ν =0→2 level of the 2Π1/2 ground electronic state of NO and a CW electrically excited CO laser to probe the ν =1→2 and ν =2→3 levels of both the 2Π1/2 and 2Π3/2 states of NO, was used to determine the V-T rate constant k10 and estimate the V-V and spin relaxation rates. The value of k10 for the process NO(1)+NO(0)→2NO(0) was found to be 2.6±0.2×103 torr−1 · sec−1 at 295°K.