ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOE PRODUCING EXCITED STATES OF NeF: POTENTIAL ENERGY SURFACES OF $Ne_{2}F$ AND $NeF_{2}$

Abstract

Besides the appropriateness of the emission wavelength, the use of excimer states of NeF as a photolytic pump for fusion lasers depends very critically on the method of exciting the excimer state. Extensions of our recent calculations on the low-lying excited states indicate, as expected, that there are a number of curve crossings due to the Rydberg states (of both atoms). Traditional electron beam excitation methods may therefore be Inefficient since each curve crossing represents a potential energy loss mechanism. We are studying (theoretically) the possibility of using emission from either $Ne_{2}F$ or $NeF_{2}$. Using large, multi-thousand term, first-order wave functions, we have determined the equilibrium geometries and the spectral properties of the low-lying states of these systems. Transition moments to the appropriate dissociative states will be presented. The application of these systems, $Ne_{2}F$ and $NeF_{2}$, in the production of excited NeF will be also discussed.