Knowledge Bank

Fluorescence and zero-field level crossing (Hanle effect) spectra have been observed for the $C2\Sigma +$ state of NS. Optical excitation is by means of both an NS emission lamp and the Ball 2304.2 {\AA} atomic emission line. The latter coincides with absorption lines of the 0 - 0 band of the $C2\Sigma +\backslash vlinewidth3pcheight.5ptdepth0ptX2\Pi 1/2(\gamma )$ system, exciting fluorescence from apparently several $N\prime$ levels. With this fluorescence the Hanle effect is observed; it is analyzed by making assumptions about the contributions of different $N\prime$ levels and their g-factors. An excited state ($v\prime$ = 0) radiative lifetime estimate of 6.5 nsec results.