Electronic-excitation transfer collisions in flames—V. Cross sections for quenching and doublet-mixing of K(42P)-doublet by N2, O2, H2 and H2O

Weighted average cross sections for quenching of the K(4²P)-doublet by N₂, H₂, O₂ and H₂O, measured in flames, show no significant temperature dependence in the range from 1500 to 2500K. Doublet mixing cross sections for K(4²P$\text{3}\text{2}$?4²P$\text{1}\text{2}$) transitions were measured at 1720K for N₂, O₂, H₂O. The ratios of both mixing cross sections were measured independently and were found to agree with the detailed balance condition within 2 per cent. It is shown that an ionic intermediate-state model cannot explain the large magnitude of N_2? mixing cross sections.