Laser excitation spectra and lifetimes of Pb2 and Sn2 produced by YAG laser vaporization

Abstract

A new and very general technique, combining pulsed laser vaporization with laser induced fluorescence is described. The gas phase electronic spectra of Pb₂ cooled to near 77 °K by liquid N₂ are very simple and yield the vibrational constants for the ground state and two low lying electronic states. Some lifetime information is also obtained and preliminary observations of Sn₂ spectra are reported.