Knowledge Bank

The physical quenching of $O2(1\Delta g)$ by atoms and simple molecules appears to involve no crossing of potential surfaces. This problem has been treated by Quantum Scattering Theory using a potential function which accounts for spin-orbit coupling between the electrons of the donor and the mobile electric field of the quencher. The electronic excitation energy is partitioned among vibrational and rotational modes of the quencher molecule and the relative translation of the collision partners. Using collision ``Stark-perturbed” electronic wave functions for $O2(1\Delta g)$ and $O2(3\Sigma g-)$, Morse oscillator functions for the respective vibrations, normal spherical, harmonics for rotation, and the distorted wave approximation for the translational wave functions a quantitative model for the quenching has been developed. The calculated results for quenching efficiency suggest that the main pathway for the collisional deactivation of $O2(1\Delta g)$)oxygen is self-quenching.