Experimental Study of Dissociative Attachment in Optically Pumped Lithium Molecules.
Abstract
Experimental observations of dissociative attachment in lithium are described. Using laser excitation of a supersonic lithium beam a population of metastable vibrationally excited lithium molecules has been created. A cold electron population (0.13eV) has been created by laser photoionisation of lithium atoms, and the attachment of these electrons has been studied as a function of molecular state. The rate constant for dissociative attachment in Li2 has been measured to be 2 + or - 1 x 10 to the -8th power cc/sec. Using broad band pump radiation the fraction of electrons attached in a 3 microsecond period has been increased to 7%. The prospects for a high current, continuous Li(-) source based on optical pumping are discussed. Keywords: Lithium; Lithium negative ions; Optical pumping of lithium molecules; Lithium supersonic beam.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177809
Entities
People
- Malcolm W. Mcgeoch
- Robert E. Schiler