Knowledge Bank

Infrared emission from the low-pressure gas-phase NO-O reaction system has been studied from 1 to 6.5 microns. An infrared integrating sphere has been used for the reaction cell to provide increased light-gathering efficiency, and because of the relatively weak source, the emission spectra were observed with an interferometer spectrometer. Spectra obtained indicate that the ``continuum'' associated with the NO-O recombination extends to at least 4 microns. Vibrational emissions from $NO,NO2$, and $N2O$ have been observed and their relative intensities studied versus concentrations of the reactants. Several weaker bands have also been observed, but are presently unidentified. The intensity of the vibrational emission relative to the continuum radiation has been found to be pressure-dependent due to the considerably different radiative and collision lifetimes involved. Infrared emission spectroscopy may be able to contribute much to the study of chemical kinetics.