OZONE RECOVERY IN THE PRESENCE OF O$_{2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) FOR ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES

Abstract

Rapid quenching of O${2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) in O($^{3}$P)/O${2}$/O${3}$ mixtures has been observed using 248 nm laser photolysis of ozone to produce oxygen atoms and O${2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) molecules. Collisional removal of O${2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) was found to be correlated with the presence of O atoms. The kinetics indicate that vibrationally excited ozone is an important O${2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) quenching agent in O($^{3}$P)/O${2}$/O${3}$ systems. The impact of this quenching channel on the O${2}$(a$^{1}\Delta$) and O${3}$ levels in the atmosphere will be discussed.