Vibrational Relaxation and Dissociation Rate Measurements in Polyatomic Molecules

Laser schlieren technique has been used to obtain vibrational-vibrational energy transfer and dissociation rates in some polyatomic molecules behind incident shock waves. A series mechanism was postulated in the earlier studies to explain the measured energy transfer rates in SO2 obtained using the ultrasonic and laser induced fluorescence techniques. This article is from 'Proceedings of the International Symposium on Shock Tubes and Waves (13th), Niagara Falls, July 6-9, 1981,' AD-A122 200.