Knowledge Bank

Several frequencies (in the range 5500-650 {\AA}) from various lasers have been used to study very high $v\prime ‘$ levels (even close to dissociation) in the ground state of $Li2$ and $Na2$. A number of these transitions correspond to optically pumped laser (OPL) lines (most previously unassigned). Excitation of sodium vapor with a HeNe laser (6328 {\AA}) generates fluorescence up to $v\prime ‘$ 48 (quasibound level) and also shows same very interesting transitions suitable for if. OPL On the other hand, $Kr+$ (5682 {\AA}) laser induced fluorescence of $Li2$ (up to $v\prime ‘=36$) consists of lines from the A-X as well as the B-X system, and suggests a unique mechanism: laser induced fluorescence from high $v\prime ‘$ levels populated primarily by laser induced fluorescence. This mechanism is especially interesting for optically pumped lasers because the same pump laser is responsible for populating as well as depopulating the high $v\prime ‘$ level. These data have been used to extend the potential energy curves toward dissociation and to improve the values of dissociation $energy.\ast$ Supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.