Collisional Deactivation of K(52PJ) by H2. Identification of the Primary Quenching Channel

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j150670a033

Pulsed photodissociation of KJ at 193 nm was used as the source of K(5²P_J) in a series of experimental studies of collisional deactivation.By comparison of the yield of ground-state K(4²S_1/2) in the presence and absence of H2 and D2, it was possible to demonstrate that chemical reaction plays no significant role in the deactivation process.Of the available quenching channels, that leading to the intermediate 5²S_1/2 and 3²D_J states appears to dominate.The possible importance of near-resonant electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer is discussed and an application to the refinement of alkali metal lasers presented.