Abstract

Diatomic molecular photodissociation (e.g., B–X in K₂ and NaK) samples interacting potential energy curves from small to large internuclear distances. Thermal photodissociation studies of the polarization of atomic fluorescence and atomic fine structure branching in which thousands of rovibrational levels contribute suggest nearly adiabatic behavior in K₂ (Ref. ¹) and strongly nonadiabatic behavior in NaK.² Recently an all optical triple resonance (AOTR) technique has been demonstrated with which individual rovibrational levels are selectively photodissociated.³ The application of this technique to studies of alkali diatomic photodissociation will be described.

© 1992 Optical Society of America