A Theoretical Study of Rate Coefficients for the O + NO Vibrational Relaxation

Abstract

Quasi-classical trajectories have been integrated to study the vibrational relaxation of the O + NO(v) process as a function of the initial vibrational quantum number for T = 298 K, 1500 K, and 3000 K. Two reliable potential energy surfaces have been employed for the A‘ and A‘ ‘ doublet states of NO2. The calculated vibrational relaxation rate constants show a nearly v-independent behavior at room temperature and a moderate increase with v for higher temperatures. Although deviating significantly from the recommended values, good agreement with recent experimental results has been obtained. The importance of multi-quantum transitions is also analyzed.