On the possible role of the reaction O + HO sub 2 yields + O sub 2 in OH airglow

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA093iA01p00285· OSTI ID:5927505

Kaye, J A ^[1]

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1. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)

Several workers have concluded that analysis of the OH infrared emission from the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere requires population of OH(v = 5,6) by the reaction O + HO{sub 2} {r arrow} OH(v {le} 6) + O{sub 2}. It has been stated previously that this may be unlikely if the reaction proceeds by O atom transfer rather than H atom transfer. The authors shows here that recent laboratory evidence argues convincingly that the mechanism of this reaction involves O atom transfer after formation of an HO{sub 3} complex and that little or no population of highly vibrational levels (v {ge} 4) of OH are expected, although nonnegligible population of lower levels seems plausible. On this basis it appears that this reaction should not be contributing substantially to emission from OH(v = 5,6). The reverse reaction, OH(v {ge} 6)+O{sub 2} {r arrow} HO{sub 2} + O, which has been suggested to be a potential sink for OH(v {ge} 6), is considered and is expected to be slow unless an HO{sub 3} complex is formed, in which case, multiple quantum deactivation of OH is alos a likely process. Recent experimental evidence suggesting that OH(v = 4,5) may be populated by the H + O{sub 3} {r arrow} OH + O{sub 2} reaction is discussed, although no firm conclusions about its importance can be reached.

• OSTI ID: 5927505
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 93:A1; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIRGLOW
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
GRAVITY WAVES
HYDROXYL RADICALS
INFRARED RADIATION
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
RADIATIONS
RADICALS
THERMOSPHERE