Spectroscopic Kinetic And Dynamic Experiments On Atmospheric Species

This final report contains: The results of COCHISE (Cold Chemical Infrared Simulation Experiment) experiments involving the interaction of N2 with CO, O3(v) with N2 and the fluorescences of NO and N2; A theoretical discussion of O2/Ar and N2/Ar microwave discharges; Trajectory calculations involving the collisional relaxation of high vibrational-rotational states of O3 by Ar; The experimental determination of the intramolecular branching ratio of the (021) and (101) conbiation bands of CO2; A determination of the distribution of vibration sites of NO(v) from the reaction N(4S) + O2 yield NO(v) via multiphoton ionization; FAKIR (Flowing Atmospheric Kinetic Infrared Experiment) measurements of atomic oxygen production in the reaction between N(2D) and CO2 and the quenching of N(2D) by atomic oxygen; Both the visible and infrared fluorescence results from the LINUS (Laser Infrared Nuclear Simulation) project.

During the last four years, many experiments have been performed in the COCHISE facility. Each of these experiments has measured a fundamental chemical quantity such as a radiative branching ratio, a quenching rate coefficient or a product vibrational energy distribution. These measurements are then provided for incorporation into the various atmospheric radiation codes such as NORSE, ARC, and AARC, where they provide a solid experimental footing for modeling the complex chemical system of the upper atmosphere.