Photochemical decomposition of N2O by Lyman-alpha radiation: scientific basis for a chemical actinometer.
A novel IR method for measuring the kinetics of N(2)O photodecomposition has been devised and used to calibrate the flux of Lyman-alpha (10.2 eV) radiation from a H(2)/Ar microwave discharge lamp. The photodecomposition of N(2)O occurs with a weak pressure dependence due to the operation of a wall effect consuming some photogenerated active oxygen species. This effect is removed by working at high N(2)O pressures. The Lyman-alpha flux from the lamp is 1.28 +/- 0.36 x 10(15) photons cm(-2) s(-1).
Rajappan
Mahesh
M
Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA.
Büttner
Michael
M
Cox
Charlie
C
Yates
John T
JT