Relaxation of the lower vibrational states of NO(X2PI) in collisions with NO and Ar

Energy transfer involving the lower vibrational states (γ=0 to 3) of NO(x2PI) in collisions with NO and Ar was studied in shock wave experiments. Rate constants for (vibrational) state-to-state V-T and V-V processes in NO-NO and NO-Ar interactions were obtained. It was found that in NO-Ar collisions the relaxation rates for lower levels (γ=0, 1) are more than ten times faster than for the higher ones (γ=2, 3). (Auth.)