COLLISION-INDUCED DISSOCIATION OF DYE-LASER EXCITED LI2(A1SIGMAU+)

Li2 molecules in a vapour cell were excited into the A 1Σ+u state using a dye laser set at 6103 Å. In the presence of a foreign gas Li(2 2P) atoms were detected by means of the Li(3 2D-2 2P) transition which was simultaneously excited by the 6103 Å radiation. From the pressure dependence of the normalized Li fluorescence intensity absolute rate constants for collision-induced dissociation Li2(A) → Li(2 2P) by the five rare gases were determined. The results are compared with recent work on the analogous process in the Li2(B 1Πu) state and with other systems. © 1979.