Measurement of Lifetimes of the Vibrational Levels of the B State of N2.
Abstract
This report summarizes two series of investigations of molecular nitrogen. In the first series of experiments the lifetimes of selected levels of the B 3 pi g state of N2 were measured. A chopped cw dye laser beam was employed to excite selected levels of the B 3 pi g state of N2 in a beam of molecules in the A 3 sigma + u metastable state. Laser induced fluorescence was observed from the vibrational levels nu = 5 through nu = 12, and a photomultiplier was used in conjunction with a microcomputer system to measure the time dependence of the decay light. The lifetimes which were measured to an accuracy of 3% showed a smooth decline from 5.8 microsec for nu = 5 to 4.11 microsec for nu = 12. No dependence on rotational level was observed. In the second series of experiments an attempt was made to produce a beam of metastable N2 molecules in the a 1 sigma + g state, use a dye laser to excite them to the c4(o)1 pi u and c'5(o)1 sigma + u metastable states, and observe the fluorescent radiation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA142161
Entities
People
- F. M. Pipkin
Organizations
- Harvard University