LIFETIME MEASUREMENT OF THE B-2-SIGMA(+)(U) LEVEL OF N-2(+) BY LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE

The optical diagnostic technique of laser-induced fluorescence has been applied to a low pressure nitrogen discharge generated by radio frequency waves. The first negative system of N+2 was investigated with the use of a tunable dye laser. The radiative lifetimes of the B 2∑+u(v'=0,1) levels were measured to be 65.1±0.4 and 62.5±0.7 ns, respectively. The obtained lifetimes and transition probabilities agree with the values found in the literature, deduced from electron beam excitation. In addition, rotational constants of the B 2∑+u and X2∑ +g levels were found from the observed spectra. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.