Laser fluorescence of NH2 and rate constant measurement of NH2 + NO

Laser induced fluorescence from the òA₁ state of the NH₂ radical, obtained by different methods, has been observed with a tunable cw dye laser as excitation source. Using pulsed photolysis of NH₃ to produce NH₂, the fluorescence technique has been employed in a first gas kinetic application to measure the rate constant of the aeronomically interesting NH₂ + NO reaction at 298 K. A value of (2.1 ± 0.2) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 has been obtained.