THE {A} STATES OF THE C${_3}$-Ar AND C${_3}$-Kr VAN DER WAALS COMPLEXES: FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION AND SATURATION

Abstract

The degree of polarization of the laser-induced fluoresence of the \ {A}$-$\ {X} system of the C${_3}$-Ar and C${_3}$-Kr van der Waals complexes was determined and has been used to probe the orientation of the transition dipole of C${_3}$ with respect to the principal axis of each complex. The fluorescence polarization was measured near the 2$^{2-}_0$, 2$^{2+}_0$, 1$^1_0$ and 2$^{1+}_0$3$^1_0$ bands of C${_3}$ under supersonic expansion conditions. The results of polarization measurements of several van der Waals spectral features will be compared with those of the associated R(0) lines of free C${_3}$. The effect of partial saturation on the fluorescence polarization measurements will be discussed.