Research on Sources of Gas Phase Metastable Atoms and Molecules
Abstract
This study is concerned with the development of new types of sources for the production of metastable atoms and molecules. In the context of the present study, the term metastable means any excited atomic or molecular species with a relatively long radiative lifetime. Several separate tasks were undertaken under this program. The literature was searched, and a review of radiative lifetimes and radiative decay mechanisms was compiled for a representative number of atomic and molecular systems of interest to such diverse areas as gas discharge physics, chemical physics, flame chemistry and plasma physics. A second task involved a literature review of prior basic research metastable sources followed by the development and experimental testing of appropriate candidate sources for the production of rare gas atomic and molecular metastable species. Four methods for producing high fluxes of metastable atoms and molecules were investigated theoretically and modeled. Methods for the storage of metastables for times up to the radiative lifetime were also investigated. A preliminary discussion of an optical trap technique is described.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117672
Entities
People
- A. Flusberg
- D. Trainor
- H. A. Hyman
- R. C. Slater