Optical–optical double resonance LIF measurement of N2(C3Πu, v = 2) deactivation rate constant by N2 collisions

This Letter reports on the first direct measurement of N2 (C3Πu, v = 2) electronic quenching rate constant by optical–optical double resonance laser-induced fluorescence. The value found, (4.19 ± 0.13)×10−11 cm−3 s−1, solves the discrepancies between the literature data. The technique opens the way to a complete and definitive investigation of electronic quenching and V–V relaxation in the whole C3Πu state vibrational manifold by means of a minimal laser configuration.