INTERACTIONS OF O2 (B1SIGMA+G) WITH O(P-3) AND O3

Rate coefficients at 300°K have been measured for the reactions of 02(6 1Σg+) with 0( 3P) and with O3. Quenching of O2(b 1Σg+) by Q(3P) proceeds with a rate coefficient of (8.0±2.0)X 10-14 cm 3molecule-1sec-1. This means that Q( 3P) is probably of only marginal importance in quenching 0 2(b1Σg+) in the thermosphere, although this conclusion depends on assumptions about the activation energies of the relevant reactions. A value of (2.2±0.2)X 10-11 cm 3molecule-1sec-1 was found for 0 2(b1Σg+) quenching by O 3, in excellent agreement with two previous determinations. The product of the 0(3P) yield in this reaction and the 0 2(b1Σg+) yield from 0( 1D) quenching by O2 was found to be 0.48±0.04. This leads to the conclusion that approximately 2/3 of 02(b 1Σg+) -O3 reactions lead to O3 dissociation. The quenching of Q2(b1Σ g+) by O3 in the stratosphere may be a significant additional source of oxygen atoms. © 1979 American Institute of Physics.