Vibrational relaxation of OH by oxygen atoms

The collisional removal of 011(v = 1) by 0((3)P) atoms is investigated. OH is generated by 193 nm photolysis of H(2)O(2), and O((3)P) atoms are generated by a microwave discharge in O(2) diluted in Ar. OH(v = 0 and 1) concentrations are monitored by laser-induced fluorescence vs. the time after the photolysis laser pulse. From comparison of these concentrations with kinetic simulations, the room-temperature total removal rate constant for OH(v = 1) in collisions with 0((3)P) is determined to be (3.9 +/- 0.6) x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). This value is slightly larger than the OH(v = 0)-O((3)P) reaction rate constant, but the difference is within the experimental uncertainty. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.