Diatomic sodium displays a double well potential structure in the 6^1_g^+ state. Previously we had investigated the v”=8 state and found the lifetime to be 14.61 ns. We now investigate the v”=40 level which rests at the bottom of the second well. A sharp increase in lifetime is predicted between states which rest in the outer well compared to those in the inner well. We measure this lifetime using two beams (\lambda_1=574.6 nm, \lambda_2=561.7 nm) incident on diatomic sodium in a heat pipe, and measuring the decay of emission using a single photon counter collecting a peak which double resonance is responsible for. To account for the effects of non-radiative relaxation, measurements are made at various pressures and regression analysis is used to extrapolate the radiative (zero-pressure) lifetime. This project is still underway, with plans to finish data collection within the month. The next step for our team will be to instead of observing v”=40, to observe v”=176, where the energy rests above the potential barrier separating the wells. By changing the wavelengths of the beams, this state should be able to be achieved, and lifetime measurements collected. This research gives valuable insights on the structure and properties of excited molecules and provides a foundation on which further research into molecular states can be performed. Further areas of potential research could involve polarized light sources, which, in addition to studying the structure of the molecule, would also provide more insight into how angular momentum is distributed between particles in the excitation process.
Author: Morgan Davies, Physics Major
Advisors: Burcin Bayram, Department of Physics
Graduate Advisors: Sanjib Thapa, Physics. Shakil Kashem, Physics
You must be logged in to post a comment.