Photolysis of Se2 by uv lasers: Application to kinetics of group-VI laser systems

Abstract
Experimental studies of the photolysis of selenium vapor were performed using a variety of high‐power pulsed uv lasers. The results have direct relevance for the kinetic modeling of high‐energy‐storage laser systems based on metastable group‐VI atomic species. Quenching rates and radiative lifetimes of the Se2 B3Σu states have been measured, as well as those for an as yet unidentified state Se*2 produced in the reaction Se(1S0)+OCSe→Se*2+CO. It was discovered that a mixture of Se2 and CO, when photolyzed with ArF laser radiation at 1933 Å, produced significant yields of Se(1S0).