Measurements of Nitric Oxide Ion Vibrational Absorption Coefficient and Vibrational Transfer to N2,

Auroral NO+ 4.3 μm emission observed from the Midcourse Space Experiment: Multiplatform observations of 9 February 1997

“…In the SQQV model, quenching is also by single quantum steps but the rate coefficient for vibrational level, v, is directly proportional to v in accord with the Landau-Teller scaling law. The measurements of Bien [1978] support the SQQ1 interpretation while the V-V transfer calculations of Sharma [2006] are more consistent with the SQQV quenching model. Finally, for the multiquantum quenching model (MQQV), the quenching rate is also proportional to v but quenching for v !…”

“…Bien [1978] reports no measurable difference in the rate coefficients for the quenching of the NO + v = 1 and 2 states or for the less precisely measured NO + v = 3 state. The rates reported by Bien [1978] are based on a measurement at 297 K using the absorption of a tunable diode laser to monitor the population of a given vibrational state.…”

“…Assuming both production processes contribute to the NO + spectral signature and the measured radiance, the efficiency for NO + MWIR auroral emission at altitudes of 112 km or more is equivalent to a steady state ratio of 0.56 ± 0.18 NO + Dv = 1 photons for each ion pair produced as the precipitating energetic electrons are absorbed in the atmosphere under auroral dosing conditions equivalent to IBC III events. Using 35 eV as the electron energy expended in producing an ion pair, this is equivalent to a radiant efficiency of 4.6 Â 10 Bien [1978] for v = 1 -3, Heninger et al [1986], v = 1 and 2, Kuo et al [1989], v = 1 -3, Fenistein et al [1990] v = 1-4, and Wyttenbach et al [1991, v = 1 -5. The early radiative lifetimes of Bien [1978] are up to a factor of three less than more recent theoretical and experimental results.…”

“…Using 35 eV as the electron energy expended in producing an ion pair, this is equivalent to a radiant efficiency of 4.6 Â 10 Bien [1978] for v = 1 -3, Heninger et al [1986], v = 1 and 2, Kuo et al [1989], v = 1 -3, Fenistein et al [1990] v = 1-4, and Wyttenbach et al [1991, v = 1 -5. The early radiative lifetimes of Bien [1978] are up to a factor of three less than more recent theoretical and experimental results. With the exception of the lifetimes reported by Kuo et al [1989] for v = 2 and 3 which are approximately 30 and 50% less, the other experimental measurements [Heninger et al, 1986;Kuo et al, 1989;Fenistein et al, 1990: Wyttenbach et al, 1991 are in good agreement with the theoretical results of Werner and Rosmus [1982] and Chambaud and Rosmus [1990].…”

“…[66] Rate coefficients for quenching of NO + (v > 0) by N 2 have been measured in laboratory experiments by Bien [1978], Dobler et al [1983], and Morris et al [1988] and are summarized in Table A2. Bien [1978] reports no measurable difference in the rate coefficients for the quenching of the NO + v = 1 and 2 states or for the less precisely measured NO + v = 3 state.…”