QUENCHING OF THE RESONANCE RADIATION OF SODIUM BY MOLECULAR NITROGEN.
Abstract
A semiquantitative calculation was made of the cross section for the process Na(3(2)P) + N2(Chi(1)Sigma-G(+); v = 0) to Na(3(2)S) + N2(Chi(1)Sigma-G(+); v = 7,8). To explain the observed cross section, which is of the order of 10 to the -15th power sq cm, it is necessary to postulate an intermediate state which here is ionic in character, involving Na(+) and N2(-); this state is unstable at infinite separation of the atom and molecule, but on account of the Coulomb attraction it becomes stable at separations below approximately 3A. The two transitions into and out of this intermediate state occur by a crossing of potential energy curves. To obtain significant values for the Landau-Zener transition probability it is necessary to invoke a change of 3-4 vibrational quanta in each transition. The discussion of vibrational overlap integrals in a collision extends Nikitin's modification of the Franck-Condon factor. Some discussion of the quenching mechanism for Na(3(2)P) by molecules other than N2 is given in an appendix.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0652581
Entities
People
- Ernest Bauer
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses