Photodissociation of Na₂⁺in Na₂multiphoton absorption

Abstract

Resonant two-photon ionisation of Na2 and subsequent third-photon dissociation of Na2+ has been studied with the use of a pulsed dye laser. Expressions for the time- and intensity-dependent populations of Na2+ and Na+ are derived and fit to observed ion signal variations with laser intensity. This analysis yields the cross section for photodissociation of the 2 Sigma g state of Na2+. The dissociation energy of this state is determined from the time-of-flight spectrum of Na2+ photofragments.