Knowledge Bank

Recently obtained theoretical information on the potential energy surfaces for the lower electronic states of the 15 molecular systems M, $M+$, $M-$, where M is $H2O$ $CO2$, $NO2$, $O3$ $N2O$, provide insight for the mechanism of several key molecular spectroscopic and atom-diatomic collisional/reactive processes. Results will be presented and discussed (1) for the pumping of $O(1S)$ in a prospective fusion ignition laser, (2) for quenching of $O(1D)$ and its relationship to the $N2$ vibrational and free electron temperatures, and (3) for the reactions of $O+(4S,2D)$ that determine the free electron depletion rate in the ionosphere.