Fast excited state formation and decay in the pulse radiolysis of gaseous argon-iodine systems

Abstract

Processes responsible for the formation and decay of excited states of I2 emitting in the 320-345 nm region in the pulse radiolysis of gaseous argon-iodine systems are investigated using an electron pulse of half-width less than 40 psec and an analyzing system with a time resolution slightly better than 1 nsec. The observed emission behavior is interpreted on the basis of a competition between light emission from vibrationally excited levels of an excited electronic state and vibrational deactivation of these levels by collision with argon. Vibrational deactivation rate constants in the range of 2×10-11 cm3sec-1 are observed. The lifetime τ(=1/k) for the emission at the longer wavelength end..