LIFETIMES OF THE A 1-PI AND LOW-LYING TRIPLET-STATES OF CO

The available experimental data concerning the lifetimes of the A 1Π, a′3Σ+, e 3Σ- and d3Δ is reassessed in the light of a recently completed perturbation analysis of the ν=0-4 levels of the A 1Π state of CO. This work provides an extensive set of spin-orbit and rotation-electronic parameters characterizing the interactions of the A 1Π state with adjacent triplet and singlet states. Some of the resulting mixing coefficients are used to analyze the available lifetime measurements both of short-lived levels, of essentially 1Π character, and long-lived triplet levels. In several cases, the intrinsic lifetimes of the A 1Π (ν) and of the perturbing triplet state are determined. The strong J dependence of lifetimes are perfectly reproduced by the model and predictions are made for yet unmeasured levels. © 1990.