Depletion kinetics of low-lying states of tungsten in the presence of NO, N2O, and SO2

The gas-phase reactivities of W(a(5)D(1), a(7)S(3)) with N2O, SO2, and NO in the temperature range of 295-573 K are reported. Tungsten atoms were produced by the photodissociation of W(CO)(6). The tungsten atoms were detected by a laser-induced fluorescence technique. The removal rate constants for the 6s(2)5d(4) a(5)D(1) states were found to be J dependent for all of the reactants. Removal rate constants for the 6s(1)5d(5) a(7)S(3) state were found to be ast compared to the a(5)D(1) states and often approached the gas kinetic rate constant. The reaction rates for all the states were found to be pressure independent with respect to the total pressure. Results are discussed in terms of the different electronic configurations of the states of tungsten. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.