First measurement of the BO B 2Σ+ radiative lifetime by laser-induced fluorescence via the B 2R+-X 2Σ+ transition

Observation of the temporal evolution of the fluorescence following laser excitation of boron monoxide molecules to the B (2)Sigma(+) state is used to extract the radiative lifetime and collisional removal rate constant with N-2 as the colliding partner. The two lowest vibrational levels in the (BO)-B-11 B (2)Sigma(+) state are examined. The radiative lifetimes are 101 +/- 8 ns for v' = 0 and 108 +/- 8 ns for v' = 1. The rate constant for collisional removal of B-state v' = 0 (BO)-B-11 molecules by N-2 is (1.1 +/- 0.1) x 10 (11) cm(3) s (1). (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.