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Detection of LiH and NaH molecular beams by laser fluorescence and measurement of radiative lifetimes of the A $sup 1$$Sigma$$sup +$ state

Journal Article · · J. Chem. Phys., v. 64, no. 6, pp. 2609-2615
OSTI ID:4022182

Detection of supersonic molecular beams of LiH and NaH using the tunable laser fluorescence technique is reported. From measurement of the relative intensities of individual rotational lines in the excitation spectrum, beam rotational temperatures T/sub rot/=600+-100 degreeK for LiH and T/sub rot/= 230+- 50 degreeK for NaH have been obtained. Direct measurement of the fluorescence decay of excited A $sup 1$$Sigma$$sup +$ state molecules after pulsed laser excitation has allowed determination of the radiative lifetimes of several (v',J') levels. It is found that tau (v'=2,J'=3) =29.4+-1.3, tau (v'=5,J'=3) =30.5+-1.3, and tau (v'=7,J'=12) =36.9+-1.9 nsec for $sup 7$LiH and tau (v'=8,J'=3) =22.7+-1.6 nsec for $sup 23$NaH, where the quoted uncertainties represent three standard deviations. These values agree to within the approx.10% quoted experimental uncertainties with theoretical lifetimes calculated using ab initio electronic transition moments of Docken and Hinze (LiH) and Sachs, Hinze, and Sabelli (NaH). (AIP)

Research Organization:
Department of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
NSA Number:
NSA-33-031048
OSTI ID:
4022182
Journal Information:
J. Chem. Phys., v. 64, no. 6, pp. 2609-2615, Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys., v. 64, no. 6, pp. 2609-2615; ISSN JCPSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English